🇩🇪🇹🇷 Germany Greenlights Export of 40 Eurofighter Typhoons to Türkiye

Major breakthrough in defense diplomacy and European aerospace cooperation.

Germany has approved the export of up to 40 Eurofighter Typhoons to Türkiye, unlocking a major defense deal and boosting NATO’s southeastern airpower.

In a significant development for European defense cooperation, Germany has officially approved the export of up to 40 Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jets to Türkiye. This decision lifts a long-standing block on the transfer of advanced military hardware, marking a new chapter in Ankara-Berlin relations and enhancing NATO’s southeastern flank.

The approval follows months of negotiations between Türkiye, Germany, and other Eurofighter consortium members—the UK, Spain, and Italy—who had previously signaled support for the deal. Germany’s initial hesitation was rooted in broader geopolitical and human rights concerns, but the recent shift reflects growing alignment within NATO amidst increased regional tensions and defense priorities.

The Eurofighter Typhoon remains one of the most advanced multi-role combat aircraft in the world, with operational roles in air superiority, ground attack, and reconnaissance. For Türkiye, the Typhoon offers a high-performance alternative as it navigates challenges in acquiring U.S. F-16s or other fifth-generation fighters.

Key features:

-Twin-engine, agile 4.5-generation platform

Advanced AESA radar and IRST systems.

-Proven combat record and NATO interoperability

-Upgrade path toward sixth-generation features

The sale will modernize the Turkish Air Force, helping replace aging F-4 Phantoms and reinforce NATO interoperability within southeastern Europe and the Eastern Mediterranean and support Europe’s defense industry—especially Airbus and key German subcontractors.

This move comes at a critical time for Türkiye, which is balancing military modernization with shifting alliances. With its expulsion from the F-35 program and ongoing discussions about acquiring Russian systems in the past, the Eurofighter acquisition reaffirms Türkiye’s integration into Western defense structures, signaling improved diplomatic posture toward Germany and its allies.

Contract signing and production timelines are expected in late 2025 or early 2026.

Deliveries could begin by 2028, depending on configuration and training schedules.

Türkiye may request a customized variant, including indigenous systems integration.

The German greenlight for Eurofighter exports to Türkiye is more than a simple arms deal—it’s a strategic recalibration in Europe’s defense landscape. It strengthens NATO unity, supports European defense industries, and gives Türkiye a vital modernization path for its air force in a rapidly evolving regional security environment.

🇪🇸 Spain Plans Its First Conventional Aircraft Carrier in Historic Naval Leap

Spain commissions a feasibility study for its first conventional aircraft carrier, shifting from STOVL-only platforms and signaling a major evolution in naval air power.

Spain Prepares for Its First Conventional Aircraft Carrier.

In a historic shift for its naval strategy, Spain is preparing to build its first conventional aircraft carrier, a development that would significantly upgrade its maritime airpower capabilities. The Spanish Navy (Armada Española) has formally commissioned state-owned shipbuilder Navantia to conduct a feasibility study for what could become the largest warship in Spain’s history—surpassing the current LHD Juan Carlos I.

This initiative marks a clear evolution from the Navy’s original plan to operate up to three STOVL-capable amphibious assault ships to now embracing a mixed fleet that includes one conventional fixed-wing aircraft carrier. The envisioned carrier could resemble the French Charles de Gaulle, weighing around 40,000 tons and measuring over 260 meters in length.

Currently, the Juan Carlos I supports STOVL (Short Take-Off and Vertical Landing) aircraft such as the AV-8B Harrier II, now reaching the end of their service life. The only modern replacement available for such aircraft is the F-35B by Lockheed Martin, which limits operational flexibility and market competition.

A conventional aircraft carrier, using catapults and arrestor wires, would expand Spain’s fighter options to include the F-35C, F/A-18F Super Hornet, and Rafale M, among others. These aircraft offer longer range, heavier payloads, and more advanced sensors compared to STOVL types.

The move also aligns Spain with NATO partners like France and the U.S., both operating advanced carrier-borne aircraft. Furthermore, it opens the door to future integration of sixth-generation jets from the Future Combat Air System (FCAS) project, being jointly developed by France, Germany, and Spain.

Navantia's study will explore key systems including:

- Catapult-assisted take-off and arrested recovery (CATOBAR) systems

- Aircraft support for 25–30 fixed-wing manned fighter jets

- Integration of Class 3 UAVs with capabilities for early warning

Pending government approval, the first steel cut could take place by 2035, with the ship entering service around 2040. When complete, the new carrier will be larger and more capable than the Juan Carlos I (26,000 tons, 231 meters), marking a leap forward in Spanish naval aviation.

Spain’s future carrier air wing may include a mix of:

- Carrier-capable fighter jets (F-35C, Rafale M, or F/A-18F)

- Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) for surveillance and ASW

- Future FCAS naval variants (anticipated post-2040)

This development ensures that Spain will always have two naval aviation platforms operational, even when one is undergoing extended maintenance addressing a crucial limitation faced by navies operating a single carrier-type vessel.

It also reflects a broader trend across Europe: modernization of naval forces and an increased focus on blue-water capabilities. With rising geopolitical tensions and renewed interest in power projection, Spain is positioning itself as a stronger and more autonomous player within both NATO and the EU.

The construction of a conventional aircraft carrier not only reflects Spain’s technological ambition and industrial capacity, but it also enhances the country's strategic relevance in the Atlantic and Mediterranean theaters. This evolution is emblematic of a new chapter for the Spanish Navy and for European naval power as a whole.