British Prime Minister Keir Starmer arrived in Ankara to engage in discussions with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan regarding Turkey’s ongoing efforts to procure Eurofighter jets. Starmer’s visit marks a significant step in strengthening defense ties between the UK and Turkey.
Upon landing at a Turkish air force base, Starmer was accompanied by UK Defence Minister John Healey and Air Chief Marshall Harv Smyth, head of the Royal Air Force. The officials were welcomed by their Turkish counterparts, as stated by Turkey’s defense ministry. Typically, official visits to the Turkish capital are conducted via Esenboga airport.
Turkey is eager to modernize its air force and aims to finalize the acquisition of 40 Eurofighter jets, which are collaboratively manufactured by the UK, Germany, Italy, and Spain. Although discussions are ongoing, a Turkish official indicated anonymously that Britain would deliver an unspecified number of jets on the day of Starmer’s visit, with analysts estimating the figure to be around two.
In the evening, Erdogan and Starmer were scheduled to hold a joint press conference following their meeting. The complexities surrounding Turkey’s quest for the Eurofighters have been noteworthy. Aaron Stein, president of the Foreign Policy Research Institute, emphasized the saga by noting that Turkey previously declined an opportunity to join the European consortium, opting instead for the U.S. fighter jet program.
Turkey’s pivot towards Europe was catalyzed when it was removed from the F-35 fighter program in 2019 after acquiring Russia’s S-400 missile defense system. For a time, Germany had stalled the Eurofighter sale due to Turkey’s positions concerning the Gaza conflict, but that opposition was lifted in July, paving the way for negotiations to resume.
In a related development, Erdogan recently engaged in talks with Qatar’s Emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, as Turkey expressed interest in acquiring additional Eurofighters from Doha. Qatar initially ordered 24 Eurofighters in 2017 and has since sought to obtain more units.
The transfer of jets from the UK to Turkey during Starmer’s visit is believed to involve those originally intended for Qatar. Analysts suggest that instead of being sent to Doha, the jets may now be redirected to Turkey, subject to UK approval.
Topics surrounding the future of Gaza are also expected to emerge during discussions between Erdogan and Starmer, particularly as Turkey aspires to be part of an international stabilization force, an initiative that has faced opposition from Israel.
