Turkey Pushes for Western Fighter Jets to Regain Regional Air Power Edge

Turkey is urgently moving to modernize its air force, pushing for a deal with Europe and the U.S. to acquire advanced fighter jets, including Eurofighter Typhoons and potentially F-35s. Facing growing regional threats from Israel and Greece, Ankara aims to restore its aerial edge while navigating Western sanctions over its Russian S-400 systems. President Erdogan’s upcoming diplomatic engagements could finalize a multibillion-dollar agreement, marking a turning point in Turkey’s defense alignment with the West.

ANKARA – Turkey is intensifying efforts to acquire advanced Western fighter jets as part of a broader strategy to restore its aerial dominance in a rapidly shifting regional security landscape. Officials and sources close to the negotiations revealed that Ankara has been engaging both European partners and the United States to secure modern aircraft, including Eurofighter Typhoons and American-made F-35 jets.

The NATO member, which maintains the alliance’s second-largest military, is seeking to modernize its ageing air fleet amid heightened regional tensions and military activities by Israel and Greece. In July, Turkey signed a preliminary agreement to acquire 40 Eurofighter Typhoons and is now nearing a deal to receive 12 used jets from Qatar and Oman to meet its immediate operational requirements.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is expected to finalize the arrangement during his upcoming visits to Qatar and Oman, with British and German leaders also expected in Ankara later this month for potential final signings. A British government spokesperson confirmed that a memorandum of understanding signed in July paved the way for a multibillion-pound order of up to 40 aircraft, while Germany has expressed support for the sale, indicating that a deal could be reached within the year.

Beyond the Typhoon deal, Ankara is exploring ways to rejoin the U.S. F-35 program, from which it was expelled in 2020 following sanctions under the CAATSA law for purchasing Russian S-400 missile systems. Although President Erdogan’s recent meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump yielded no breakthrough, Turkish officials remain optimistic about securing a possible presidential waiver that could bypass the sanctions and open the door to renewed defense cooperation.

“Both sides understand that resolving the CAATSA issue is essential,” said Harun Armagan, vice chair of foreign affairs for Erdogan’s ruling AK Party. “Whether it happens through a waiver or congressional approval will depend on Washington’s decision.”

A U.S. State Department spokesperson acknowledged Turkey’s strategic importance and said the Trump administration is exploring “creative solutions” to outstanding disputes, without providing specific details.

The urgency of Turkey’s efforts stems from growing unease over Israel’s recent airstrikes across the Middle East, including in Syria, Lebanon, and Iran, which have exposed vulnerabilities in Ankara’s air defense network. At the same time, neighboring Greece is set to receive a new batch of advanced F-35 jets within three years, adding pressure on Turkey to modernize its air force to maintain strategic balance in the Aegean and Eastern Mediterranean regions.

While Ankara continues to pursue Western aircraft, it is also investing heavily in indigenous defense programs, including its homegrown KAAN stealth fighter and the Steel Dome air defense project. However, Turkish defense experts admit that these systems are still years away from achieving full operational capability.

“Right now, our air defense is not where it should be,” said Yanki Bagcioglu, a former Air Force brigadier general and opposition lawmaker. “We need to accelerate the KAAN program while ensuring that Eurofighter and F-16 acquisitions are finalized without further delays.”

For now, Ankara’s diplomatic and military engagements underscore a clear priority: to rebuild its aerial deterrence through a mix of foreign procurement and domestic innovation, ensuring that Turkey remains a central power in regional defense and NATO operations.