Berlin, April 23 - In a significant development in international arms trade and geopolitics, Germany has reportedly blocked the sale of approximately 40 Eurofighter Typhoon jets to Türkiye. This decision has sparked tensions within the Eurofighter consortium and raised questions about Türkiye’s military modernization plans. The decision, reported by the German business daily Handelsblatt on April 17, 2025, is said to be driven by concerns over recent political developments in Türkiye, particularly the arrest of Ekrem İmamoğlu, the mayor of Istanbul and a prominent opposition figure. İmamoğlu’s detention has been widely criticized as an attack on Turkish democracy, prompting Germany’s caretaker government, led by the Social Democrats and Greens, to reassess its arms export policies toward Türkiye.
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The Eurofighter Typhoon, a fourth-generation multirole fighter jet, is produced by a consortium of four nations—Germany, the United Kingdom, Italy, and Spain—represented by aerospace giants Airbus, BAE Systems, and Leonardo. Any export deal requires unanimous approval from all consortium members, giving each country veto power. Türkiye has been actively pursuing the acquisition of these jets to bolster its aging air force, which currently relies on a fleet of over 200 F-16 Fighting Falcons and a smaller number of F-4E Phantoms. The proposed deal included 20 used Tranche Sólo los usuarios autenticados pueden ver los enlaces de esta publicación jets from the UK and 20 new Tranche 4 models, with plans to equip them with advanced Meteor missiles from MBDA. This acquisition was seen as a critical step in addressing Türkiye’s air power gap, especially after its exclusion from the U.S.-led F-35 program due to Ankara’s purchase of Russian S-400 missile systems in 2017.
Germany’s veto reverses earlier progress made in late 2024, when Berlin had signaled approval for the sale following intense negotiations. On November 14, 2024, a Turkish defense ministry source indicated that a “sales authority” had been mandated to facilitate the deal, raising hopes in Ankara. However, the arrest of İmamoğlu, who was nominated as the presidential candidate for Türkiye’s main opposition party, the Republican People’s Party (CHP), for the 2028 elections, appears to have shifted Germany’s stance. The German government, under interim Chancellor Olaf Scholz, viewed the arrest as a significant erosion of democratic principles, leading to the decision to halt the export of approximately three dozen jets. The move has not only strained Germany-Türkiye relations but also created friction within the Eurofighter consortium. The UK, Italy, and Spain, which had supported the sale, now face delays in a deal that could have bolstered their defense industries. For Türkiye, the veto complicates its efforts to modernize its air force amid regional tensions, particularly with Greece, which has expressed concerns about the sale due to fears that the jets could alter the balance of power in the Aegean Sea. Greece’s defense minister, Nikos Dendias, has argued that the deal violates a 2021 Franco-Greek defense pact, further complicating the geopolitical landscape.
Türkiye is not without alternatives. Ankara has signed a $1.4 billion deal for 40 new F-16 Block 70 jets from the United States and is developing its indigenous fifth-generation fighter, the KAAN, which completed its maiden flight in February 2024. There are also indications that Türkiye may revisit negotiations for re-entry into the F-35 program, particularly with shifts in U.S. leadership. However, these options come with their own challenges, including technical delays with the KAAN and political hurdles with the F-35. Germany’s decision underscores the delicate interplay between arms exports, democratic values, and international alliances. While some analysts warn that blocking the sale could weaken Türkiye’s defense capabilities and strain NATO unity, others argue that it sends a strong message about the consequences of democratic backsliding. As Türkiye explores other avenues to strengthen its air force, the stalled Eurofighter deal highlights the complexities of balancing military cooperation with political principles in an increasingly volatile global environment.