RAF Eurofighter Typhoon lands at Murted Air Base, Ankara
A Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jet of the United Kingdom Air Force is seen before landing at Murted Airfield Command, an air base of the Turkish Air Force located 35 km northwest of Ankara, Turkiye on December 18, 2024. (AA Photo)
A Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jet from the United Kingdom Royal Air Force (RAF) has landed at Murted Air Base in Ankara, marking a significant development in Türkiye’s ongoing defense discussions.
Eurofighter Typhoon arrives in Ankara
During an annual review meeting on December 14 at the Ministry of National Defense, Turkish Defense Minister Yasar Guler stated that discussions regarding Eurofighter collaboration were progressing positively.
He also announced that two Eurofighter jets, participating in exercises in Qatar, would arrive in Ankara.
Positive talks on Eurofighter collaboration
Yasar Guler, Minister of National Defense, attended the Annual Evaluation Meeting for media representatives at the Ministry of National Defense on Saturday, December 14, and stated that negotiations on the Eurofighter are continuing positively.
Guler also said in a television program that: “Two Eurofighters belonging to the United Kingdom, which are participating in exercises in Qatar, will come to Ankara on December 18 and we will have the opportunity to see the planes. Regarding the F-35, we have said before that we want to buy it. We think that the positive atmosphere in the F-16 procurement process will also be reflected in the F-35 process. We will also discuss with the new administration that will take office in the U.S. the lifting of CAATSA sanctions that are contrary to the spirit of alliance. There is no change in our position on the S-400.”
On the same day, Minister of National Defense Guler also had a telephone conversation with British Defense Minister John Healey.
The arrival of these jets provided an opportunity for Turkish officials to observe the aircraft closely.
Official statement from Türkiye
In the statement made on the issue on the social media account of the Ministry of National Defense (MoD), the following was recorded:
Two Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft belonging to the United Kingdom, participating in an exercise in Qatar, landed at our Mürted Air Base Command in Ankara on their way back. The planes that arrived for inspection by our Air Force were welcomed by the UK Minister of State for Defence, Procurement and Industry, Maria Eagle, as well as Air Force Commander General Ziya Cemal Kadıoğlu, Deputy Minister Şuay Alpay and our military personnel on duty.
Turkish Ministry of National Defence
First flight in Syria since Assad’s fall takes off from Damascus airport
Bangladesh reportedly considers acquiring Türkiye’s T129 Atak helicopters
Turkish, French presidents discuss Syria, bilateral ties in phone call
