Türkiye might replace its U.S.-made F-16s with Qatar’s Eurofighter jets
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Türkiye is discussing the purchase of up to 24 Eurofighter Typhoon jets from Qatar as its U.S.-made F-16 fleet approaches the end of service life, according to officials familiar with the negotiations.
On October 7, 2025, Middle East Eye reported that senior Turkish defense officials met with Qatari counterparts in Doha in early October 2025 to examine the possible purchase of its Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft. The proposal covers as many as 24 Tranche 3A fighters currently in Qatar’s inventory and would require export approval from Eurofighter consortium members. Turkish defense planners view the option as a bridge measure to maintain operational capacity while modernization of U.S.-made F-16s continues and the indigenous Kaan program advances toward production.Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link
The acquisition of 24 Eurofighter Typhoons Tranche 3A from Qatar would temporarily fill a capability gap created by the gradual aging of Türkiye’s F-16 fleet, until the Kaan, its domestically developed fifth-generation fighter, becomes fully operational. (Picture source: UK MoD)
The discussions involved Turkish Defense Minister Yasar Guler and Air Force Commander General Ziya Cemal Kadioglu, who met with Qatari Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Saoud bin Abdulrahman Al Thani. According to people familiar with the matter, both sides are close to reaching an agreement, although final details such as pricing, logistics, and maintenance support still need to be settled. If the deal goes ahead, Türkiye could receive up to 24 Tranche 3A Eurofighter Typhoons from Qatar, giving its air force a short-term boost as it faces growing pressure to replace its aging F-16 fleet, while waiting for its new-generation Kaan aircraft to become operational.
Qatar currently operates 24 Eurofighter Typhoons acquired through a $6.7 billion deal with BAE Systems in 2017. These aircraft are among the most modern versions of the Typhoon, featuring digital avionics, the Captor-E active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar, and upgraded defensive systems. Any sale would still require the approval of the Eurofighter consortium countries, the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, Spain, and France, which jointly oversee export decisions for the aircraft. Sources in Europe say there is general support for the deal, since Türkiye is seen as an important future customer that might later seek newer Tranche 4 models fitted with the new European Common Radar System (ECRS) Mk2, which BAE Systems says will significantly improve detection range and electronic warfare performance.
For Ankara, the potential transfer from Qatar is a practical way to maintain operational readiness while its domestic fighter program continues to develop. In July 2025, Türkiye signed a preliminary memorandum of understanding with the United Kingdom to buy 40 new Eurofighter Typhoons, but that plan has not moved forward because of disagreements over pricing and delivery schedules. Turkish officials have described the initial offer as too expensive, and even if a final contract is signed, deliveries would take several years. By contrast, aircraft already in Qatari service could be delivered more quickly once the necessary approvals are granted. The option is attractive because it would help Türkiye avoid a capability gap during the late 2020s, when several of its F-16s will start to reach the end of their service life.
When the Eurofighter project began in the 1980s as a joint effort between the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, and Spain, Ankara initially followed its development closely but chose to continue its cooperation with the United States on the F-16 Fighting Falcon instead. The Eurofighter entered service in 2003, progressively evolving through Tranche 1, 2, and 3 configurations, each introducing new radar, mission systems, and weapon capabilities. For Turkey, the aircraft represents a bridge between fourth- and fifth-generation jets, compatible with NATO standards and offering proven performance across air defense and multirole missions. In this context, acquiring Tranche 3A aircraft from Qatar would allow Ankara to integrate a mature European system while maintaining flexibility for future participation in upgrade programs or industrial partnerships linked to the Eurofighter consortium.
Ankara also signed a preliminary memorandum of understanding with the United Kingdom in July 2025 to purchase 40 new Typhoons, but the talks have slowed due to disagreements over cost and delivery timelines. Turkish officials reportedly viewed the initial British proposal as too expensive, and even if finalized, it would take years before the new jets arrive. The second-hand Typhoons from Qatar would therefore act as a temporary but important measure to sustain combat readiness while the longer-term procurement plan continues. Production of the Eurofighter Typhoon remains active at BAE Systems’ Warton plant in the United Kingdom, as well as at partner facilities in Germany, Italy, and Spain. According to industry figures, output has recently tripled compared to the previous two years due to new contracts from Germany, Spain, Kuwait, and Qatar, helping to maintain production lines and sustain Europe’s fighter aircraft workforce.
The Eurofighter Typhoon itself is a twin-engine, canard-delta wing aircraft developed jointly by Airbus, BAE Systems, and Leonardo; it is currently used by the air forces of the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, Spain, Austria, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait, and Qatar. Built for both air combat and strike missions, the jet can carry long-range Meteor missiles, precision bombs, and anti-ship weapons, depending on configuration. Each aircraft is powered by two Eurojet EJ200 engines that provide up to 90 kilonewtons of thrust with afterburner and allow for sustained supersonic flight. The Tranche 3A version, which Qatar operates, integrates modern radar, mission computers, and self-protection systems. The airframe is designed to last around 6,000 flight hours, making it suitable for long-term operations if properly maintained.
Türkiye’s need for new fighters is partly a result of its exclusion from the U.S. F-35 program in 2019, after it purchased Russian S-400 air defense systems. That decision left the Turkish Air Force without access to fifth-generation aircraft and forced Ankara to look for other options within NATO standards, even though there are rumours that Türkiye may ultimately succeed in returning to the American program. The Eurofighter deal would allow Türkiye to maintain a modern air fleet until the Kaan, its domestically developed fifth-generation fighter, becomes fully operational. The Kaan made its first flight in early 2025, and while Turkish officials hope to deliver the first units by 2028, most experts expect service entry closer to 2030. Until then, the Turkish Air Force will rely on a mix of upgraded F-16s, future Eurofighters, and the Kaan prototypes for pilot training and transition.
The Turkish defense industry remains divided on whether to prioritize short-term acquisitions or concentrate resources on domestic development. Some defense officials and analysts argue that the emphasis should remain on enhancing national self-sufficiency through projects led by Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) and Aselsan, integrating local radar, electronic warfare, and flight control systems into the existing F-16 fleet. Others contend that a temporary acquisition of Eurofighter Typhoons would strengthen operational readiness during the transitional period before the Kaan enters full service. Until then, a combination of foreign acquisitions and domestic upgrades will be needed to maintain air defense coverage.
Written by Jérôme Brahy
Jérôme Brahy is a defense analyst and documentalist at Army Recognition. He specializes in naval modernization, aviation, drones, armored vehicles, and artillery, with a focus on strategic developments in the United States, China, Ukraine, Russia, Türkiye, and Belgium. His analyses go beyond the facts, providing context, identifying key actors, and explaining why defense news matters on a global scale.
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Türkiye is discussing the purchase of up to 24 Eurofighter Typhoon jets from Qatar as its U.S.-made F-16 fleet approaches the end of service life, according to officials familiar with the negotiations.
On October 7, 2025, Middle East Eye reported that senior Turkish defense officials met with Qatari counterparts in Doha in early October 2025 to examine the possible purchase of its Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft. The proposal covers as many as 24 Tranche 3A fighters currently in Qatar’s inventory and would require export approval from Eurofighter consortium members. Turkish defense planners view the option as a bridge measure to maintain operational capacity while modernization of U.S.-made F-16s continues and the indigenous Kaan program advances toward production.
Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link
The acquisition of 24 Eurofighter Typhoons Tranche 3A from Qatar would temporarily fill a capability gap created by the gradual aging of Türkiye’s F-16 fleet, until the Kaan, its domestically developed fifth-generation fighter, becomes fully operational. (Picture source: UK MoD)
The discussions involved Turkish Defense Minister Yasar Guler and Air Force Commander General Ziya Cemal Kadioglu, who met with Qatari Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Saoud bin Abdulrahman Al Thani. According to people familiar with the matter, both sides are close to reaching an agreement, although final details such as pricing, logistics, and maintenance support still need to be settled. If the deal goes ahead, Türkiye could receive up to 24 Tranche 3A Eurofighter Typhoons from Qatar, giving its air force a short-term boost as it faces growing pressure to replace its aging F-16 fleet, while waiting for its new-generation Kaan aircraft to become operational.
Qatar currently operates 24 Eurofighter Typhoons acquired through a $6.7 billion deal with BAE Systems in 2017. These aircraft are among the most modern versions of the Typhoon, featuring digital avionics, the Captor-E active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar, and upgraded defensive systems. Any sale would still require the approval of the Eurofighter consortium countries, the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, Spain, and France, which jointly oversee export decisions for the aircraft. Sources in Europe say there is general support for the deal, since Türkiye is seen as an important future customer that might later seek newer Tranche 4 models fitted with the new European Common Radar System (ECRS) Mk2, which BAE Systems says will significantly improve detection range and electronic warfare performance.
For Ankara, the potential transfer from Qatar is a practical way to maintain operational readiness while its domestic fighter program continues to develop. In July 2025, Türkiye signed a preliminary memorandum of understanding with the United Kingdom to buy 40 new Eurofighter Typhoons, but that plan has not moved forward because of disagreements over pricing and delivery schedules. Turkish officials have described the initial offer as too expensive, and even if a final contract is signed, deliveries would take several years. By contrast, aircraft already in Qatari service could be delivered more quickly once the necessary approvals are granted. The option is attractive because it would help Türkiye avoid a capability gap during the late 2020s, when several of its F-16s will start to reach the end of their service life.
When the Eurofighter project began in the 1980s as a joint effort between the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, and Spain, Ankara initially followed its development closely but chose to continue its cooperation with the United States on the F-16 Fighting Falcon instead. The Eurofighter entered service in 2003, progressively evolving through Tranche 1, 2, and 3 configurations, each introducing new radar, mission systems, and weapon capabilities. For Turkey, the aircraft represents a bridge between fourth- and fifth-generation jets, compatible with NATO standards and offering proven performance across air defense and multirole missions. In this context, acquiring Tranche 3A aircraft from Qatar would allow Ankara to integrate a mature European system while maintaining flexibility for future participation in upgrade programs or industrial partnerships linked to the Eurofighter consortium.
Ankara also signed a preliminary memorandum of understanding with the United Kingdom in July 2025 to purchase 40 new Typhoons, but the talks have slowed due to disagreements over cost and delivery timelines. Turkish officials reportedly viewed the initial British proposal as too expensive, and even if finalized, it would take years before the new jets arrive. The second-hand Typhoons from Qatar would therefore act as a temporary but important measure to sustain combat readiness while the longer-term procurement plan continues. Production of the Eurofighter Typhoon remains active at BAE Systems’ Warton plant in the United Kingdom, as well as at partner facilities in Germany, Italy, and Spain. According to industry figures, output has recently tripled compared to the previous two years due to new contracts from Germany, Spain, Kuwait, and Qatar, helping to maintain production lines and sustain Europe’s fighter aircraft workforce.
The Eurofighter Typhoon itself is a twin-engine, canard-delta wing aircraft developed jointly by Airbus, BAE Systems, and Leonardo; it is currently used by the air forces of the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, Spain, Austria, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait, and Qatar. Built for both air combat and strike missions, the jet can carry long-range Meteor missiles, precision bombs, and anti-ship weapons, depending on configuration. Each aircraft is powered by two Eurojet EJ200 engines that provide up to 90 kilonewtons of thrust with afterburner and allow for sustained supersonic flight. The Tranche 3A version, which Qatar operates, integrates modern radar, mission computers, and self-protection systems. The airframe is designed to last around 6,000 flight hours, making it suitable for long-term operations if properly maintained.
Türkiye’s need for new fighters is partly a result of its exclusion from the U.S. F-35 program in 2019, after it purchased Russian S-400 air defense systems. That decision left the Turkish Air Force without access to fifth-generation aircraft and forced Ankara to look for other options within NATO standards, even though there are rumours that Türkiye may ultimately succeed in returning to the American program. The Eurofighter deal would allow Türkiye to maintain a modern air fleet until the Kaan, its domestically developed fifth-generation fighter, becomes fully operational. The Kaan made its first flight in early 2025, and while Turkish officials hope to deliver the first units by 2028, most experts expect service entry closer to 2030. Until then, the Turkish Air Force will rely on a mix of upgraded F-16s, future Eurofighters, and the Kaan prototypes for pilot training and transition.
The Turkish defense industry remains divided on whether to prioritize short-term acquisitions or concentrate resources on domestic development. Some defense officials and analysts argue that the emphasis should remain on enhancing national self-sufficiency through projects led by Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) and Aselsan, integrating local radar, electronic warfare, and flight control systems into the existing F-16 fleet. Others contend that a temporary acquisition of Eurofighter Typhoons would strengthen operational readiness during the transitional period before the Kaan enters full service. Until then, a combination of foreign acquisitions and domestic upgrades will be needed to maintain air defense coverage.
Written by Jérôme Brahy
Jérôme Brahy is a defense analyst and documentalist at Army Recognition. He specializes in naval modernization, aviation, drones, armored vehicles, and artillery, with a focus on strategic developments in the United States, China, Ukraine, Russia, Türkiye, and Belgium. His analyses go beyond the facts, providing context, identifying key actors, and explaining why defense news matters on a global scale.
