Türkiye nears Eurofighter procurement, advances on F-16 Block 70 deal

Türkiye’s Ministry of Defense (MoD) announced that it is nearing a favorable outcome for the Eurofighter Typhoon procurement while confirming that contracts for the F-16 Block 70 fighter jets are now in effect following initial payments.

Eurofighter procurement expected to conclude soon

During a press briefing, Defense Ministry sources confirmed ongoing discussions with officials from the United Kingdom and Eurofighter Typhoon’s consortium members. They expressed optimism that the Eurofighter Typhoon deal would soon be finalized.

This announcement follows a recent emergency landing by a British Eurofighter at Türkiye’s Diyarbakir Air Base due to a technical issue.

“The Eurofighter’s maintenance is underway, and it will soon depart the Diyarbakir base,” said the MoD sources, addressing questions about the jet’s presence in Türkiye.

F-16 Block 70 deal advances with initial payments

Following Türkiye’s recent payment, agreements for the F-16 Block 70 jets are now officially in effect.

The ministry confirmed that technical discussions with U.S. authorities and the jet’s manufacturer are ongoing, solidifying the country’s plans to add the F-16 Block 70s to its fleet.

Lifting of implicit and explicit embargoes

In response to questions about the easing of international restrictions on defense imports, the MoD attributed this to Türkiye’s growing geopolitical significance and advancements in its defense capabilities.

“Türkiye’s strategic role and achievements in defense production have led many countries to reconsider limitations. We continue to emphasize that allies should avoid imposing sanctions, either overtly or covertly, against one another,” Defense Ministry officials noted.

Increased border security and defense operations

The MoD also highlighted Türkiye’s robust border security measures, citing the prevention of over 85,000 unauthorized crossings this year. The Ministry confirmed intensified airstrikes targeting key areas in Iraq and Syria, where recent operations reportedly eliminated 198 terrorists in the last week alone.

“Our operations in Iraq and northern Syria successfully targeted hideouts, depots, and strongholds, eliminating key figures within terror networks,” said MoD spokesperson Rear Admiral Zeki Akturk.