Reports from Turkish Minute, Army Recognition, Türkiye Today and others suggest that Türkiye is in talks with Qatar about acquiring up to 24 second-hand Eurofighter Typhoon Tranche 3A jets.
This option is being driven by Türkiye’s need for a stopgap – their fleet of U.S.-made F-16s is aging, and the newer procurement options (new Eurofighters, or the indigenous KAAN fighter) have long lead times or unresolved issues.
Turkey has already signed a preliminary deal (MoU) with the United Kingdom for acquisition of 40 new Eurofighter jets.
Germany has reportedly given its approval for the export of Eurofighters to Turkey in that new-jet deal. Also, UK and German authorities are reportedly approaching positively.
No signed contract (as of yet) for the transfer of Qatar’s Eurofighters to Türkiye. Negotiations are ongoing but no formal export agreement has been made public.
The number “24” from Qatar is reported but not official. It’s subject to approval by Qatar, and importantly, by the Eurofighter consortium (which includes the UK, Germany, Italy, and Spain). Export of military aircraft is a sensitive issue requiring multilateral consent.
According to defense sources cited by Middle East Eye and Arab Defence Journal, Doha’s interest in selling part of its 24-strong Eurofighter Tranche 3A fleet is driven by fleet consolidation and logistical streamlining. The Qatari Emiri Air Force already operates advanced Dassault Rafale and Boeing F-15QA Eagle fighters, both of which overlap in capability with the Eurofighter.
Maintaining three separate front-line fighter types—each requiring unique maintenance, spare parts, and training pipelines—has proven costly and operationally redundant. The Eurofighters, delivered between 2022 and 2024, have reportedly seen limited flight hours and were mainly used for air-defense alert duties.
Additionally, some analysts point to shifting strategic priorities: Qatar is focusing on interoperability with the U.S. and France, its two key defense partners. Both nations have deeper industrial and training ties to the F-15 and Rafale programs, making the Eurofighter less essential for Qatar’s long-term plans.
This situation creates an opportunity for Türkiye, which urgently seeks additional 4.5-generation fighters amid delays in its indigenous KAAN project and the ongoing need to modernize its air force fleet.
Why This Proposal Has Become Attractive
Speed of delivery: Used jets from Qatar could be delivered more quickly than new-build aircraft, helping to plug gaps in capability while KAAN and other modernization plans mature.
Cost concerns: Turkey reportedly found the UK’s offer for new Eurofighters “too expensive” and with delivery schedules too far out. Acquiring second-hand jets from Qatar may be a more affordable and faster interim solution.
What Challenges Remain
Consortium approval: Because the Eurofighter program is multinational, any export of existing aircraft (especially to Türkiye, which has had politically contentious relationships with some European governments) must pass through approval by all partner nations. Germany’s initial objections (later reversed) are a reminder of the political complexity.
Aircraft condition, maintenance, and upgrades: Qatari Typhoons are Tranche 3A; while quite capable, transferring them would require ensuring spare parts, maintenance support, alignment of avionics, and compatibility with Turkish logistics. All that adds cost and time.
Strategic consequences / regional perception: Turkey’s military procurement is closely watched by neighbors (e.g. Greece) and by NATO. Moves like this could shift regional balances, provoke diplomatic responses, or influence alliances.
While Türkiye views the Eurofighter Typhoon as a potential bridge between its aging F-16s and the future KAAN stealth fighter, Qatar appears to be moving in the opposite direction—scaling back its use of European platforms.
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