The Turkish Air Force, if Ankara approves the purchase of Eurofighter military aircraft, for the first time in its history can begin to use fighters not produced in the United States, the Milliyet newspaper wrote on Saturday.
Germany has approved the start of technical negotiations with Turkey on the supply of Eurofighter fighters, AHaber TV channel reported on Friday evening, citing sources. Türkiye intends to purchase 40 Eurofighter fighters, has received the consent of Great Britain and Spain, and is trying to convince Germany, the country's Minister of National Defense Yasar Guler previously said. London promised to help remove Berlin's objections, Habertürk TV channel previously reported, citing sources in the country's Ministry of National Defense.
"For the first time in its history, the Turkish Air Force will use a non-US-made fighter. The aircraft is not US-made, but the avionics systems and munitions it uses are familiar, and this is a big advantage. But our biggest advantage is having a fighter with an AESA radar, which we will receive for the first time with the Eurofighter. The course of air conflicts in the world has changed. It is no longer the era of “dog fighting”, but the era of early detection of the enemy using modern radars and missile launches. This power, which Greece acquired thanks to the Rafale aircraft acquired from France, is now. will be balanced,” the publication writes.
The newspaper notes that Türkiye does not intend to abandon the project to develop the fifth-generation national combat aircraft KAAN.
"So why are we buying the Eurofighter now? We aim to produce two KAANs a month and 24 a year. This includes the introduction of an in-house engine. Our target is to reach a fleet of 200 aircraft on average, and until then We must protect the skies of our homeland in the best possible way. That is why we are purchasing Eurofighters,” notes Milliyet.
