Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan was scheduled to arrive in Doha late Tuesday as Ankara is reportedly looking to acquire several second-hand Eurofighter Typhoon jets from Qatar, a Turkish security source informed AFP.
Erdogan’s office announced that he was traveling from Kuwait and set to hold talks with Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani on Wednesday.
“Turkey has been trying to negotiate to acquire some of Qatar’s used Eurofighters,” the source told AFP on condition of anonymity because they lacked authorization to speak to the media.
Turkey has offered access to its new-generation fighter jet, the Kaan, in exchange for a potential technology transfer arrangement.
“No firm advancements had been achieved yet, with discussions still in progress, the source added.
Turkey aims to upgrade its air force and has recently pursued the acquisition of 40 new Eurofighter Typhoons produced by a consortium involving Germany, Britain, Spain, and Italy.
This effort followed Washington’s 2019 decision to exclude Ankara from the F-35 program due to Turkey’s acquisition of Russia’s S-400 air defense system. The deal sparked concerns that it could provide NATO’s primary rival with insights into Western fighter jet capabilities.
Certain defense analysts view Turkey’s interest in the Eurofighters as a calculated tactic to pressure Washington into reinstating Ankara in its stealth fighter initiative.
“For Turkey, the main priority remains the F-16 and F-35 programmes,” the Turkish source said.
In May, Erdogan voiced optimism that sanctions would soon be lifted, a sentiment bolstered by his September meeting with US President Donald Trump. US Ambassador to Turkey Tom Barrack stated in June that American sanctions were expected to conclude by year’s end. However, the Turkish source indicated a longer timeline was probable.
“Due to the current political gridlock in the US Congress, progress on these deals is unlikely before the new year.”
Ankara’s proposal may face a cool response, the Turkish source noted, given Qatar’s defense priorities amid last month’s Israeli strikes targeting Hamas officials in the emirate.
As the EurAsian Times reported earlier, speculation about a potential Eurofighter Typhoon purchase was initiated by Turkish Defense Minister Yaşar Güler and Air Force Commander General Ziya Cemal Kadıoğlu’s visit to Doha in early October 2025.
Qatar currently operates 24 Eurofighter Typhoon Tranche 3A aircraft and has ordered an additional 12 Tranche 4s for the QEAF. It also operates the F-15QA (a tailored variant of the F-15EX) and the French Rafale.
As noted by the EurAsian Times in previous reports, Turkey has been eager to secure the Eurofighter Typhoons to strengthen its aging Air Force.
Germany blocked the acquisition of aircraft for a long time because it required the approval of all the Eurofighter Consortium members (UK, Germany, Italy, and Spain). However, after months of Turkey’s lobbying, Germany finally conceded and lifted the ban in July 2025.
Following Germany’s approval, Turkey and the United Kingdom signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to advance the potential procurement of Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jets.
However, the purchase will take considerable time. In contrast, Qatar could potentially hand over its used Eurofighter jets much faster, which may have prompted Ankara to seek a stopgap solution.
With Turkey’s arch-rival, Greece, acquiring Rafale and F-35 fighters, pressure mounts on the Turkish military to upgrade its air force quickly.
With Inputs from Agence France-Presse
