Analysis

In-Depth Analysis

Smart, independent reporting on Turkey's politics, economy and foreign affairs.

EUROFIGHTERS: A STOPGAP WITH STRINGS
Deciphering Turkish Diplomacy May 29, 2026

EUROFIGHTERS: A STOPGAP WITH STRINGS

The German government has dropped its veto on the sale of 40 Eurofighter Typhoon jets to Turkey, thanks to the requests of the Turkish opposition, claimed Özgür Özel, the head of the CHP. While Berlin has been dragging its feet on talks for the warplanes, which are built by a consortium of Germany, Britain, Italy, and Spain, a news report suggested in April that the German government had decided to keep blocking the sale due to the arrest of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu on March 19. While such a decision was never officially confirmed, İmamoğlu tweeted from his prison cell, objecting to the veto and Özel kept the issue on the agenda during talks with his German counterparts.

Editorial Team
DOUBLE SHOW OF STRENGTH IN SOMALIA
Security and Defense Apr 16, 2026

DOUBLE SHOW OF STRENGTH IN SOMALIA

Turkey launched offshore oil and gas exploration off the eastern coast of Africa, deploying a 7th-generation ultra-deepwater drillship. Simultaneously, Turkish F-16 fighter jets, T-129 attack helicopters, and AS-532 Cougar utility helicopters, and the aircraft performed ceremonial flyovers across Mogadishu.

Editorial Team
A SIGNATURE AND A DELAY IN THE EUROFIGHTER PROJECT
Security and Defense Mar 26, 2026

A SIGNATURE AND A DELAY IN THE EUROFIGHTER PROJECT

Following the signing of an agreement with the U.K. in Oct. 2025 to procure 40 Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jets, the defense ministers of the two countries signed a contract for technical and logistical support regarding the maintenance and operation of these aircraft.

Editorial Team
F-16S AND AIR DEFENSE SYSTEMS TO NORTHERN CYPRUS
Security and Defense Mar 12, 2026

F-16S AND AIR DEFENSE SYSTEMS TO NORTHERN CYPRUS

In response to the reinforcement of defense in Southern Cyprus by Greece and some European countries due to the Iran conflict, Turkey deployed F-16 fighter jets and additional air defense systems to the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) for the first time in 28 years.

Editorial Team
ONLY 233 F-16S LEFT IN TURKISH ARMY
Security and Defense Feb 26, 2026

ONLY 233 F-16S LEFT IN TURKISH ARMY

The Air Force, which has been unable to procure new fighter jets for over 20 years because of foreign policy obstacles, lost another fighter jet on Feb. 25, reducing the number of F-16s in its inventory to 233. Thus, the number of fighter jets in active service fell from approximately 450 to 252 over the same period.

Editorial Team
TURKEY SEEKS TO DOUBLE TYPHOON PURCHASE FROM QATAR
Security and Defense Jan 29, 2026

TURKEY SEEKS TO DOUBLE TYPHOON PURCHASE FROM QATAR

Turkey is seeking to increase its planned purchase of Eurofighter Typhoon jets from Qatar to 24 aircraft, up from an initial 12, as Ankara explores options to secure additional airframes amid tightening global supply and rising demand, a senior defense source told Turkey in Depth.

Editorial Team
TURKEY’S 2026 BUDGET MISSES £5.4B EUROFIGHTER COST
Security and Defense Dec 2, 2025

TURKEY’S 2026 BUDGET MISSES £5.4B EUROFIGHTER COST

Under the agreement signed between Turkey and the U.K., the £5.4 billion payment to the Eurofighter consortium for 20 Typhoon fighter jets was not included in either the Defense Ministry’s budget or the Defense Industry Presidency's (SSB) budget. The Defense Industry Support Fund (SSDF) can be used as a source of funding for this project, but the cost of the Typhoons is approximately double the annual amount transferred to the fund from taxes collected by the state.

Editorial Team
$10.7 BILLION FIGHTER DEAL WITHOUT CONCRETE DETAILS
Security and Defense Oct 31, 2025

$10.7 BILLION FIGHTER DEAL WITHOUT CONCRETE DETAILS

Following lengthy negotiations, an agreement for Turkey to procure 20 Eurofighter Typhoon Tranche 4 fighter jets from the UK was signed in Ankara on Oct. 27. Turkey will increase the number of aircraft in its Eurofighter fleet to 44 by procuring 12 second-hand Typhoons each from Qatar and Oman. The $10.7 billion (£8 billion) payment to the U.K. under the agreement has become a subject of debate in Turkish domestic politics, as the details of the package were not announced.

Editorial Team