Turkey has announced plans to purchase advanced fighter jets from NATO allies and other partners until its indigenous fifth-generation combat aircraft, the KAAN, becomes operational. A Turkish Defence Ministry source confirmed that the country will fill its interim defense gap by sourcing jets from abroad to sustain its air force capabilities.
This move comes as Ankara actively negotiates to acquire Eurofighter Typhoons and U.S. F-16s and F-35s, while President Tayyip Erdoğan tours Gulf states Kuwait, Qatar, and Oman to bolster regional ties and defense cooperation. Reports suggest a near-final deal with Britain under which Turkey would initially receive 12 used Typhoons from Qatar and Oman to meet urgent operational needs.
Why It Matters
The decision underscores Turkey’s strategic balancing act pursuing defense autonomy through indigenous production while depending on external suppliers in the short term. The KAAN project, central to Turkey’s ambitions for defense self-sufficiency, faces a multi-year production timeline, prompting Ankara to secure interim solutions to maintain readiness amid regional tensions and NATO obligations.
This also reflects broader geopolitical considerations: Turkey’s complex relations with Western allies following disputes over arms deals, its suspension from the F-35 program, and its evolving defense diplomacy with Britain, the U.S., and Gulf states.
Turkey: Seeking both short-term capability and long-term defense independence.
Britain, U.S., EU allies: Potential suppliers balancing economic benefits against political sensitivities.
Qatar and Oman: Expected contributors of used Typhoons to Ankara’s fleet.
Turkish Defense Industry: Watching closely as KAAN’s development timeline influences procurement strategy.
What’s Next
Turkey’s defense ministry expects negotiations over the Typhoon deal to conclude soon, likely paving the way for initial deliveries. Meanwhile, KAAN’s testing and production milestones will determine how long foreign procurement remains necessary.
If successful, Ankara’s dual-track approach securing foreign jets while advancing its domestic project could strengthen both its air defense posture and its case for renewed cooperation within NATO.
With information from Reuters.
