Turkey is preparing to receive the first of a batch of second-hand Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jets sourced from Qatar, with initial deliveries expected by the end of February 2026, according to reporting by Turkish broadcaster NTV, citing official statements from the Turkish Ministry of National Defence (MSB).
The announcement follows a high-level trilateral meeting in Doha involving the Turkish, Qatari, and British air force leadership, underlining the strategic and industrial complexity of Ankara’s Eurofighter procurement process.
According to NTV, the Chief of Staff of the Turkish Air Force, General Ziya Cemal Kadıoğlu, travelled to Qatar’s capital, Doha, to participate in a three-party coordination meeting with senior representatives of the Qatari Air Force and the Royal Air Force.
The meeting reportedly focused on delivery timelines, pilot training, aircraft preparation and logistics and integration planning
The Turkish Ministry of National Defence confirmed the visit and emphasized that the talks represent a key milestone in the execution phase of Turkey’s Eurofighter acquisition programme.
First Aircraft Expected by Late February
Turkish media reports indicate that the first Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft sourced from Qatar is expected to arrive in Turkey by the end of February, following the conclusion of contractual and technical preparations.
Turkey is set to acquire 12 Eurofighter Typhoons currently operated by the Qatar Emiri Air Force, forming the first operational tranche of Ankara’s Eurofighter programme.
In parallel, Turkish pilots have already begun flight training, marking the transition from negotiation to operational implementation.
This early delivery is designed to accelerate Turkish Air Force familiarisation and operational integration, while larger fleet modernisation efforts remain ongoing.
Broader Eurofighter Acquisition Plan
Turkey’s Eurofighter roadmap extends well beyond the Qatari aircraft.
Oman Tranche – 12 Aircraft
Turkey has also reached an agreement to acquire 12 Eurofighter Typhoons currently in service with the Royal Air Force of Oman. These aircraft belong to the Tranche 3 production standard and will undergo modernisation in the United Kingdom before delivery.
Deliveries of the modernised Omani aircraft are expected to begin from 2028 onwards.
New Production Tranche – 20 Aircraft
In addition to the second-hand aircraft, BAE Systems is expected to manufacture 20 new-build Eurofighter Typhoons for Turkey, starting production around 2030.
These aircraft will reportedly correspond to the latest Tranche 4 configuration, incorporating:
- Advanced AESA radar
- Enhanced electronic warfare systems
- Improved mission computing
- Expanded weapons integration
Final deliveries are projected to be completed by 2032, bringing Turkey’s total confirmed Eurofighter fleet to 44 aircraft.
Optional Expansion – +20 Aircraft
The agreement reportedly includes an option for an additional 20 aircraft, which could raise Turkey’s eventual Eurofighter fleet to 64 jets, depending on operational satisfaction, budget availability, and long-term force planning.
Operational Implications for the Turkish Air Force
The Eurofighter Typhoon acquisition significantly enhances Turkey’s air superiority and deep-strike capability, particularly following Ankara’s exclusion from the F-35 programme and delays in domestic fifth-generation fighter development.
The Typhoon offers:
- High-performance air-to-air combat capability
- Advanced sensor fusion and data-link networking
- Integration of long-range Meteor air-to-air missiles, with engagement ranges exceeding 200 km
- Multi-role flexibility in both air dominance and strike missions
For the Turkish Air Force, the platform provides a critical qualitative leap, restoring advanced fighter capacity while domestic programmes such as KAAN continue development.
Strategic Context
Turkey’s Eurofighter programme reflects:
- Urgent operational needs driven by regional security tensions
- The necessity to modernise an ageing F-16 fleet
- A desire to diversify strategic defence partnerships
- The requirement to maintain NATO interoperability
By combining second-hand aircraft for rapid induction with new-build jets for long-term force structure, Ankara is pursuing a balanced acquisition strategy, prioritising both speed and sustainability.
Turkey’s Eurofighter plan represents one of the most ambitious European fighter acquisitions of the decade.
The phased approach — starting with Qatari aircraft, followed by Omani jets, and culminating in new-build Tranche 4 fighters — allows the Turkish Air Force to rapidly regain technological parity while building toward long-term fleet renewal.
Operationally, the integration of Meteor missiles and advanced AESA radars significantly strengthens Turkey’s air dominance posture across the Aegean, Eastern Mediterranean, Black Sea, and Middle Eastern theatres.
However, fleet complexity, sustainment costs, and long-term industrial participation will remain key challenges, especially as Turkey balances Eurofighter operations alongside F-16 modernisation and its indigenous KAAN fighter programme.
If fully executed, this acquisition could reshape Turkey’s air power profile well into the 2040s.
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