INTERVIEW – UK confident all Eurofighter nations back Türkiye jet sale: Envoy
Ankara’s Eurofighter bid gains traction as UK pushes deal forward and Berlin reassesses stance
Eurofighter fighter jet
- UK officials also ‘optimistic’ about free trade talks with Türkiye
LONDON
Efforts to finalize Türkiye’s long-delayed purchase of Eurofighter Typhoon jets are gaining momentum, with UK officials voicing confidence that all four manufacturing nations – the UK, Germany, Italy and Spain – now support the deal.
Ankara has long expressed interest in acquiring up to 40 of the multirole fighter aircraft, produced by a four-nation consortium. However, the deal has long been stalled by German objections.
Britain, a leading partner in the Eurofighter program, has been Türkiye’s most vocal supporter.
Last week, UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy said “all four consortium partners support this sale,” crediting British diplomatic efforts for advancing the dialogue.
In late June, NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte also weighed in, urging alliance members to avoid blocking defense sales between partners.
“I encourage not imposing restrictions on arms sales from one ally to another. This should not happen within the alliance,” Rutte said, in what was widely interpreted as a message to Berlin.
Positive atmosphere in talks
Kenan Poleo, the British consul general in Istanbul, told Anadolu that the mood among partner countries is increasingly positive.
“We are confident that all four partners are keen to see Türkiye receive those Eurofighters,” he said.
His comments followed Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s statement at the NATO summit in The Hague, where he noted “positive developments” in recent talks with both the UK and Germany concerning the Eurofighter deal.
The Eurofighter, a multirole aircraft with modern capabilities such as the next-generation radar and improved air-to-air and air-to-ground combat features, would help bolster Türkiye’s air defense capability.
Deeper strategic alignment
For both London and Ankara, the Eurofighter sale reflects a deeper strategic alignment.
Amid rising tensions in the Middle East and the Black Sea, the UK has underscored Türkiye’s importance on NATO’s southeastern flank.
In a new government review, titled National Security Strategy 2025, Britain highlighted Türkiye’s importance and partnership in defense and security, saying the country is “imperative” to UK security interests.
“Türkiye is such a key partner for us and a key NATO ally,” Poleo said.
As pressure mounts for Germany to finalize its position, officials in London appear determined to see the deal through.
“Let’s continue to tap these conversations and discussions,” Poleo said.
“I am optimistic that all countries engaged recognize the importance of Türkiye receiving these Typhoons.”
Türkiye-UK trade deal ‘could be envy of the world’
The Eurofighter discussions come as Türkiye and the UK move to strengthen ties across trade, defense, and finance.
Bilateral trade between the two countries reached £27 billion ($36 billion), according to Poleo, with both sides now working to modernize their free trade agreement.
“We have a very deep relationship with Türkiye, one of our largest trading partners,” he said.
“It’s a really exciting time,” Poleo continued, noting that the first round of formal negotiations on the updated agreement has concluded, with both sides “really happy” with the progress.
“They’re both very excited about getting together again for the second round of negotiations in due course,” he added.
Although a second round has yet to be scheduled, Poleo said he is “very optimistic that things will move quite quickly.”
“This free trade agreement will look at areas where we think activity could be further enhanced,” he said. “We look to see how we can have a modern free trade agreement that could be the envy of the world.”
