Germany’s possible blockade adds uncertainty to Türkiye’s acquisition of 40 Eurofighters

STORY: Germany’s possible blockade adds uncertainty to Türkiye’s acquisition of 40 EurofightersSHOOTING TIME: Nov. 27, 2023DATELINE: Nov. 28, 2023LENGTH: 00:02:37LOCATION: AnkaraCATEGORY: POLITICS/MILITARYSHOTLIST:1. various of Turkish F-16 fighter jets (file)2. various of the meeting of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan with German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier in Germany (file)3. SOUNDBITE 1 (Turkish): OZGUR EKSI, Editor-in-chief of TurDef defense magazine4. SOUNDBITE 2 (Turkish): OZGUR EKSI, Editor-in-chief of TurDef defense magazineSTORYLINE:Frustrated with the resistance of its NATO ally U.S. to provide F-16 fighter jets, Türkiye has turned to European countries to procure 40 Eurofighter Typhoons, but Germany’s possible blockade has added uncertainty to the deal, experts said.   Turkish Defense Minister Yasar Guler told a parliamentary hearing on Nov. 16 that his country was looking for new suppliers and was keen on acquiring the warplanes to modernize the aging fleet of its air force.   “We want to buy the Eurofighter. It is a very effective aircraft. These planes are jointly produced by the UK (United Kingdom), Germany and Spain. Both the UK and Spain say ‘yes’, and now they are working to persuade Germany,” Guler said.   The export of Eurofighter jets requires unanimous approval from all consortium members, including Italy.   More than two years after Ankara’s request, Türkiye’s proposed 20-billion-U.S. dollar deal to purchase advanced F-16 Block 70 fighters and modernization kits from the United States is still pending authorization.   Türkiye embraced the F-16 procurement strategy after the U.S. removed it from its F-35 fighter jets program in July 2019, after Ankara purchased Russia’s S-400 air defense systems.   Due to political tensions between Ankara and Washington, the U.S. Congress has reportedly held up the proposal until Ankara approves Sweden’s admission to NATO.   An informed Turkish source, who requires anonymity, told Xinhua that the Turkish parliament’s ratification process for Sweden’s admission to NATO was “on track” and was expected to be finalized in the near future in accordance with its agenda.  Türkiye plans to use the Typhoons as a stopgap option until the next-generation Kaan it is developing enters service some time in the next decade, a source close to the Turkish government told Xinhua.According to defense policy expert Ozgur Eksi, Türkiye’s Eurofighter bid is mainly driven by its neighbor and primary regional rival Greece’s order of 24 French-made Rafale F3R fighter jets.Eksi, editor-in-chief of TurDef defense magazine, said in a recent interview that Türkiye isn’t ready to allow Greece air superiority which, in his view, would lead to a conflict between the two NATO members, which have engaged in sporadic aerial conflicts over territorial disputes in regions such as the Aegean Sea and the Eastern Mediterranean.   SOUNDBITE 1 (Turkish): OZGUR EKSI, Editor-in-chief of TurDef defense magazine”Türkiye is aware that it needs to procure Eurofighter Typhoons for some time. Because Greece is buying Rafale jets from France. These planes are double-engine planes and can carry more weapons and ammunition, can go to higher altitudes, and, because of their developed technical capacities, neutralize their adversaries.”In Eksi’s view, German policymakers worry that a sizeable number of voters of Kurdish origin could politically oppose a weapons sale of this proportion to Türkiye on human rights grounds, as Ankara is battling Kurdish separatists not only at home but also in Syria and Iraq.SOUNDBITE 2 (Turkish): OZGUR EKSI, Editor-in-chief of TurDef defense magazine”There is a new world perspective nowadays. Thirty years ago only certain issues were issues of foreign policy, but in current times foreign policy has become interwoven with domestic politics. Germany is seemingly afraid that (arms sales to Türkiye) would cause a loss of votes from people of Kurdish origin, and that’s their policy. They fear that it might be used against Kurds in Türkiye and Syria. Those fears are unfounded as Türkiye already has several fleets of F-16 warplanes. Türkiye’s rapprochement (with Russia) is worrying NATO allies, but I have difficulties understanding their position while they are refusing arms sales to Türkiye and calling also their partner not to work with Russia. They are pushing Türkiye towards Russia and also calling it not to work with them.”Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Ankara.(XHTV)