The UK Government has confirmed its continued support for the prospective sale of Eurofighter Typhoon jets to Turkey, while acknowledging ongoing discussions with Germany and other partner nations involved in the programme, according to a written parliamentary response published on 30 April 2025.
Responding to a question from Graeme Downie MP (Labour – Dunfermline and Dollar), Defence Minister Maria Eagle stated: “We hold regular discussions with Germany on a range of issues related to equipment and joint programmes.”
She added: “The UK is supportive of the prospective sale of Eurofighter Typhoon to Turkey, as its next fighter platform.”
The Eurofighter Typhoon programme is a joint venture between the UK, Germany, Italy, and Spain. Any sale to a third country requires the consensus of all partner nations. Germany has previously expressed reservations over the sale of advanced military equipment to Turkey due to political and regional concerns.
Despite this, Eagle confirmed that “we continue to discuss our ongoing bid for Turkey to procure Typhoon with the other Eurofighter Partner Nations, including Germany.”
The potential deal would mark a significant boost for the UK defence industry and the Eurofighter consortium, as Turkey seeks to modernise its air force following its removal from the U.S.-led F-35 programme.
It’s an interesting argument between Germany and the nations backing the Turkish desire for Typhoon, especially in its consequences for future German-involved programmes. FCAS is in this sense an example, with the export-focused France and the cautious Germany working together.
Has France pushed for Turkey to consider the Rafale? As much as I would prefer for the Typhoon to be procured, the Rafale can do essentially everything that the consortium fighter can do (and more, given its in-service AESA and Spectra suite) with fewer export restrictions. The Typhoon exceeds it only in certain specific aspects, specifically interceptor performance.
Wouldn’t any new orders for Typhoon automatically include AESA anyway?
I’d be surprised if they got the Radar2 Full Fat version.
I’ve read that Turkey would get ECRS2 – and Meteor.
Any info on how many turkey are considering?
40
Yes it will, foreign orders are all AESA now, the mechanical version is no longer in production.
France will never export the Rafale to Turkey.
It’s already strange that we don’t block everything we can regarding the EF (Meteor/SCALP mainly).
Turkey is seen as a potential threat.
I agree Turkey are a threat and I’m slightly amazed we are going to share Typhoon.
Equally I’m bewildered that India are in line for F35. As this degrades the usefulness of it and ensures that China and Russia will learn some of its secrets.
Trump can’t give India F35, only Congress can approve ITAR.
It has zero chance of getting it.
Quite, the Indian government would sell its own mother.
I would put my house deeds on the fact that Russian test pilots and technicians have already crawled over and test flown Rafael.
All for some Russian oil and Gas.
Don’t trust them as far as you can throw them.
Isnt Turkey part of NATO and therefore considered a friendly nation ?
This people are delusional! Turkey is developing a 5th Gen jet and the Euro Fighter is just an interim . When drones were not sold to Turkey they build their own and now are the world largest exporter of drones. Same happened with air defence systems and now they no longer need Patriot or the S400.
Those that say turkey can’t be trusted must understand Turkey has now grown into a huge defence exporter including the UK are buying Turkish tech from drones to armoured vehicles
99.9% correct
Thanks for your confirmation that Turkey is a superpower now.
Not true. The Typhoon has a sensor suit similar to SPECTRE called DASS which is more adept at self protection and has several active measures the Rafale does not. Its mechanical radar is also capable of scanning and tracking from further with a larger azimuth and has a 2 way data link so it can guide and update missiles in flight where as the Rafale cannot. The AESA upgrades only increase the capability gap by a huge margin. The Typhoons radar is twice the size of the Rafales. The Typhoon in air to air is a lot more capable than the Rafale will ever be and with the new radars it will be a more advanced reconnaissance and electronic attack platform.
Spectra is generally considered to be more capable than the Praetorian system.
I’ll bow to your knowledge of the radar systems, not my area of expertise.
I agree, Rafale certainly had an edge over typhoon with AESA primarily due to Germany dragging its feet but the CAPTOR E Mk2 is a real game changer.
Spectra was certainly more capable than Pratorian DASS however I believe the inclusion of Brite cloud in the later has brought them much closer together.
As for Turkey purchasing the Rafale, the reason they want the Typhoon is because Greece recently purchased the Rafale and they want a fighter capable of matching the Rafale.
Turkey and France hate each other, no way is the Rafale going to Turkey
Is that the same Rafale with the asthmatic engines?
The Rafale with small AESA radar?
The Rafale that is even outclassed in BVR capability by the pint-sized Gripen?
Rafale is not a bad fighter-bomber … but the fanboys do lap-up rather too uncritically the PR spin by Dassault’s marketeers.
“Omni-role”?? Don’t make me laugh!
You get your facts from facebook i’m guessing
Should the UK government also be supporting the purchase of Typhoons for the RAF ?
“Where there is a will, there’s a way”.
Makes the choice of partners and the structure of GCAP look better and better. Leave the Germans to the thin gruel France will give them as part of SCAF.
Apologies, meant FCAS.
Money Money Money
This Labour government would sell their grandmother for less than the gold in her teeth.