Türkiye’s Eurofighter Typhoon deal advances with spare part tender

NATO’s Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA) published a Request for Proposals (RFP) on Jan. 24 for spare parts for the Eurofighter Typhoon, with Türkiye as the designated end-user.

The tender, covering four categories of spare parts, highlights Türkiye’s progress in securing 40 Eurofighter Typhoon jets to modernize its air force. The document is for four different spare parts which contain 250 items in four separate categories for the Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jet.

NSPA is NATO’s lead organization for multinational acquisition, support and sustainment in all domains.

Eurofighter Typhoon procurement progress

Discussions between Türkiye and consortium members, including the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, and Spain, are reportedly progressing positively.

Although Türkiye has reached an agreement with all the consortium countries, the negotiation process with Germany is progressing much slower than the others. However, it is important to note that progress is being made.

Turkish defense industry followers and writers are approaching the procurement process with caution because similar processes did take place for F-35 fighter jets as well. As a result, they are hesitant to make definitive statements until the entire acquisition process has been completed.

Sources from Türkiye’s Ministry of National Defense have recently confirmed that Germany recently approved a “Provisional Sales Authority,” expediting the acquisition process.

“Approval for the sale of the Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft to our country had already been granted by consortium member countries, including the United Kingdom, Spain, and Italy. Now, Germany has also approved the appointment of a Temporary Sales Authority for the aircraft. This is expected to accelerate the procurement process,” a ministry source stated during a press conference with journalists in Ankara.

The Ministry of National Defense has reiterated that the acquisition aligns with the operational needs of Türkiye’s Air Force Command as the country works to diversify and modernize its fleet.

Germany’s recent statements regarding Türkiye’s Eurofighter interest

Recently German Chancellor Olaf Scholz commented on Türkiye’s interest in purchasing Eurofighter Typhoon jets. Scholz said technical talks are currently underway ahead of a potential sale.

“Türkiye is also interested in strengthening itself by purchasing German defense systems, for example, our fighter aircraft. This is now being examined in Türkiye and we have made it possible. Let’s see how the review in Türkiye turns out,” he said.

Eurofighter Typhoon warplanes are jointly produced by the U.K., Germany, Italy, and Spain. Germany’s involvement in the production process requires its final approval for the sale to take place.

Türkiye is looking to acquire 40 Eurofighter jets, which would significantly enhance its air defense capabilities. Recently a Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jet from the United Kingdom Royal Air Force (RAF) landed at Murted Air Base in Ankara, marking a significant development in Türkiye’s ongoing defense discussions with Berlin.

Background on Eurofighter Typhoon program

The Eurofighter Typhoon program was established by the U.K., Germany, Italy and Spain to develop a next-generation fighter jet. France initially participated but later pursued its own Rafale project. Major contributors to the program include BAE Systems (U.K.), Airbus Defence & Space (Germany and Spain), and Leonardo (Italy).

To date, over 550 Eurofighter Typhoon jets have been delivered globally, serving seven nations: Germany, the U.K., Italy, Spain, Austria, Oman, and Saudi Arabia.

Tranche 4 Eurofighters: A stopgap solution

Türkiye is interested in the Eurofighter Typhoon’s latest Tranche 4 model, which boasts modern capabilities such as the Captor-E AESA radar and improved air-to-air and air-to-ground combat features. The Eurofighter’s advanced technology and multirole capacity make it an attractive option to enhance Türkiye’s air defense capabilities.

The jets would serve as a temporary solution until Türkiye’s own KAAN fighter jet, expected to enter service in 2030, is fully operational.

Defense Minister Yasar Guler previously commented, “We want to buy the Eurofighter. A very effective aircraft.”