Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan arrived in Doha late Tuesday as Ankara urgently seeks to acquire several of Qatar‘s used Eurofighter Typhoon jets, according to a reliable Turkish security source who confirmed the critical diplomatic mission. Erdogan flew in from Kuwait and prepared to meet with Qatar’s on Wednesday, his office stated.
The security source, speaking anonymously to AFP due to lack of authorization, specifically revealed that Turkey has vigorously negotiated to acquire some of Qatar’s existing Eurofighter inventory. Crucially, the source explained that Ankara has offered access to its new-generation indigenous fighter jet, the KAAN, as a compelling part of a comprehensive technology transfer arrangement. However, the source noted that negotiators have achieved “no concrete progress” thus far, indicating the sensitive discussions remain ongoing despite the high-level presidential visit.
The Modernization Drive
Turkey urgently wants to modernize its air force, previously attempting in recent years to purchase forty new Eurofighter Typhoons manufactured by a consortium including Germany, Britain, Spain, and Italy. Significantly, this entire acquisition process began after Washington removed Ankara from the F-35 fighter program in 2019 following Turkey’s controversial acquisition of a Russian S-400 surface-to-air missile defense system. That disruptive S-400 purchase, furthermore, directly raised major fears that it would provide NATO’s main adversary with an open window into vital Western jet operations.
Some influential defense observers interpret Turkey’s aggressive push to acquire the Eurofighters only as a strategic bluff, primarily aimed at pressuring Washington to swiftly readmit Ankara to its crucial fighter jet program. Nevertheless, the Turkish source firmly emphasized: “For Turkey, the main priority unequivocally remains the high-value F-16 and F-35 programs, which currently face significant political hurdles.”
US Sanctions on Ankara
Earlier this year, Erdogan expressed strong confidence that the sanctions would quickly end, and his crucial meeting with US President Donald Trump cemented those hopeful expectations for a rapid resolution.
Although Washington’s Turkey Ambassador Tom Barrack previously suggested that US sanctions would likely conclude by the year’s end, the Turkish source offers a more cautious assessment. Therefore, the source concluded, “Current political gridlock in the US Congress makes progress on these complex deals quite unlikely before the new year.”
Finally, Ankara’s immediate request potentially faces a lukewarm reception in Doha, considering Qatar’s own pressing defense requirements following recent Israeli strikes targeting Hamas figures inside the wealthy emirate.
