Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan is moving forward with efforts to secure as many as 24 used Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jets from Qatar, complementing Ankara’s pursuit of new-build variants and Meteor missile packages. The United Kingdom is facilitating the discussions, with Tranche 3A airframes in focus and the possibility of ordering 16 new Tranche 4 jets. After years of obstruction, Germany has eased its stance, clearing a key obstacle to the deal. The secondhand route via Qatar—or potentially Oman—offers the fastest path to bolster Türkiye’s airpower.
Qatar’s Typhoons, delivered between 2022 and 2023, are some of the most modern Tranche 3A aircraft in service, equipped with Praetorian defensive systems and PIRATE infrared sensors. Oman’s 12 Tranche 3 fighters, inducted by 2019, also remain viable re-export options. Türkiye’s interest lies in the immediate availability of these jets, especially as F-16 Block 70 deliveries from the U.S. face long lead times toward the late 2020s.
