Turkish Air Force becomes 10th customer for Eurofighter Typhoon

[+GKABS]

Turkey has reached a deal with the UK government to for the purchase of 20 Eurofighter Typhoon tactical jets.

The £5.4 billion ($7.2 billion) agreement was announced on 27 October by UK manufacturer BAE Systems, which will provide major airframe components and complete final assembly of the Typhoon fighters. 

Once fielded, the Turkish air force will become the 10th operator of the twin-engined delta-wing fighter, joining partner nations Germany, Spain, Italy, and the UK, plus export customers Austria, Oman, Qatar, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia.

“Turkey’s procurement of Typhoon marks the start of a new chapter in our longstanding relationship with this important NATO ally and reinforces the outstanding operational support the aircraft continues to deliver across Europe and the Middle East as a fundamental pillar of defence and security,” says BAE’s chief executive Charles Woodburn.

Also President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan also confirmed that they would acquire some used fighter jets of the same model from Qatar and Oman as a quick solution to enhance the air force's capabilities. 

[Trotski]

A good choice for the Türk Hava Kuvvetleri. The rafael would have been good too.

[+Gepard]

I doubt that it is a good choice. The EuFi is a 4th generation jet. In the meantime other Air Forces get their 5th generations jets and the 6th generation jets are already in development. Very soon the EuFi is old iron.

[+Muesli]

28 minutes ago, Gepard said:

I doubt that it is a good choice. The EuFi is a 4th generation jet. In the meantime other Air Forces get their 5th generations jets and the 6th generation jets are already in development. Very soon the EuFi is old iron.

I think they are aware. As I have understood, the EuFi is the interim choice to bridge the time that it takes to finish their own Gen 5 fighter project.

[+GKABS]

12 hours ago, Muesli said:

I think they are aware.

Yes, they are. They just needed something fast to update their Air Force with something they could get their hands on (due to the fast changes in the region) within months from Qatar and Oman, and the remaining will come from the UK. This is all until they get their 5th generation TAI Kaan in service.