After India, Turkey is reportedly interested in acquiring second-hand fighter jets from the Qatar Emiri Air Force (QEAF), if media reports are to be believed.
Turkey is discussing a deal with Qatar to acquire second-hand Eurofighter Typhoon jets, Middle East Eye claimed on October 7, citing informed sources. The publication asserted that while negotiations are still underway, an agreement appears to be imminent.
These claims could not be independently verified by the EurAsian Times, and the Turkish and Qatari governments have not officially acknowledged the report.
Meanwhile, the US revealed that Qatar will be allowed to build an air force facility at Mountain Home Air Base in Idaho that will house F-15 fighter jets and pilots.
The announcement comes soon after President Trump signed an executive order pledging to defend the country, following Israeli air strikes targeting Hamas leaders in Doha.
“We’re signing a letter of acceptance to build a Qatari Emiri Air Force facility at the Mountain Home Air Base in Idaho,” Hegseth said at the Pentagon, with Qatari Defense Minister Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani at his side.
“The location will host a contingent of Qatari F-15s and pilots to enhance our combined training,” as well as “increase lethality, interoperability,” he said.
“It’s just another example of our partnership. And I hope you know, your excellency, that you can count on us.”
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth also thanked Qatar for its “substantial role” as a mediator in the talks that led to a truce and hostage-prisoner swap deal between Israel and Hamas, and its assistance in securing the release of a US citizen from Afghanistan.
Qatari Jets For Turkey?
The speculation of a potential Eurofighter Typhoon purchase is likely based on the recent visit to Doha by Turkish Defense Minister Yaşar Güler and Air Force Commander General Ziya Cemal Kadıoğlu in early October 2025.
Some reports state that the visit was aimed at negotiating a deal for 10-15 Tranche 3A Eurofighter with Qatari officials, including Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Saoud bin Abdulrahman Al Thani.
Qatar currently operates 24 Eurofighter Typhoon Tranche 3A aircraft and has ordered an additional 12 Tranche 4s for the QEAF. Additionally, it also operates the F-15QA (which is a tailored variant of the F-15EX) as well as the French Rafale.
Other local reports hinted that Turkey’s inside sources clarified that no deal has been finalised, stating that information will only be shared once the contract stage is reached.
This, however, has done little to quell the doubts regarding a Typhoon purchase.
Turkey and Qatar share a robust and multifaceted strategic partnership that has deepened significantly since the early 2010s. The military ties between the two states essentially form the backbone of their relationship, with Turkey maintaining a military base in Tarqiya, Qatar, where it hosts up to 3,000 troops. Both partners collaborate on defense production, and Qatar has received drones and armored vehicles from Ankara.
As noted by the EurAsian Times in previous reports, Turkey has been eager to secure the Eurofighter Typhoons to bolster its aging Air Force. The acquisition of aircraft, which requires the approval of all the members of the Eurofighter Consortium (UK, Germany, Italy, and Spain), was blocked by Germany for a long time. However, it finally relented after months of lobbying by Turkey and lifted the veto 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, analysts have noted that it will take considerable time for the purchase to go through because the negotiations over pricing are still ongoing. Even if the purchase is finalised, the delivery of these jets will likely take years.
In contrast, Qatar could potentially hand over its used Eurofighter jets at a much faster rate, which may have prompted Ankara to seek a stopgap solution.
Notably, Turkey is currently staring at a massive gap in its air power due to an aging fleet of F-16 fighters and expulsion from the F-35 program in 2019. While it is developing its own fifth-generation KAAN stealth fighter, the aircraft wouldn’t become operational anytime soon.
With rising security threats posed by Turkey’s arch-nemesis acquiring the Rafale and F-35, the need to procure a potent combat aircraft capable of challenging the Hellenic Air Force has become vital for the Turkish Air Force.
The EurAsian Times could not independently confirm whether negotiations for the sale of used jets were taking place between Turkey and Qatar, or whether it was a meaningless speculation. However, we understand that any potential sale of Eurofighter Typhoon from Qatar to Turkey would have to be approved by the consortium.
That said, this is not the first time that Doha has negotiated the sale of a used fighter jet with a friendly country.
India Wants Qatar’s Used Fighter Jets
The Indian Air Force (IAF) reportedly started discussions with Qatar in June 2024 to acquire 12 second-hand Mirage 2000-5 fighter jets. These aircraft, consisting of nine single-seat Mirage 2000-5EDA variants and three twin-seat Mirage 2000-5DDA trainers, were originally delivered to Qatar in the mid-1990s and have seen limited operational use, which means that they have retained significant airframe life.
Back in June 2024, an Indian news agency, ANI, reported that while Qatar is offering them at an estimated cost of Rs. 5000 crores ($600M), India is keen to get them at a more reasonable price. The jets were presented along with engines and missiles for operational readiness.
Indian Defence officials told ANI that the Qatari side made a presentation regarding the current state of the aircraft. They added that they were in “very good condition and had a lot of life left in them.”
The IAF indicated that it was considering the offer, taking into account its compatibility with the Indian Mirage 2000s, as the Indian version is more advanced. It also noted that since the engines of the Indian and Qatari jets are the same, maintaining them will be easier.
Even after almost four decades in service, the Mirages are one of the mainstays of the IAF, with Gwalior as their home base. Before the induction of the Rafales, the Mirage-2000 was by far the most preferred and potent Indian jet for performing precision strikes deep in enemy territory.
The French Mirage has been a reliable and battle-tested aircraft for India since its induction in 1985. With upgrades, the IAF could use the jets until 2040.
India currently has a fleet of about 45-50 Mirage 2000s in its inventory. If the deal with Qatar is inked, it will increase the number of Mirage 2000s in the IAF’s fleet to over 60, helping to shore up the depleting numbers in its fleet.
If finalized, the deal could be sealed via government-to-government channels. However, there has been no update on this purchase in recent months, signalling that the proposition may have been shelved amid the push to buy 114 Rafale and accelerate deliveries of the indigenous Tejas fighter jet.
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