Political Unrest, Arrest Of Istanbul Mayor Raise Concerns

After the arrest of Istanbul Mayor and outspoken opposition figure Ekrem Imamoglu led to widespread protests across Turkey, the German government rescinded the export authorization for Turkey to purchase up to 40 Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jets. Germany labeled Imamoglu's arrest as “an attack on Turkish democracy.”

Imamoglu was days away from being nominated as the Republican People’s Party’s (CHP) candidate for the 2028 presidential election when he was arrested on charges of corruption and alleged ties to the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK).

The German veto adds another challenge to Turkey’s overall strategy to modernize its air force after it was previously hampered by its exclusion from the F-35 program in 2019. The veto requires unanimous confirmation from all Eurofighter consortium members including the UK, Italy, and Spain.

In addition to limiting Turkey’s ability to enhance its aerial capabilities, the government in Ankara also faces challenges in balancing its geopolitical relationships with its defense requirements. Future defense agreements with Germany are uncertain given the coming changes in Germany’s leadership with Christian Democrat Friedrich Merz expected to organize the next coalition government, although Merz has called for supporting closer ties with Turkey as a key NATO ally.

Turkey’s potential Typhoon purchase also raises concerns in Greece, primarily due to the associated possible sale of Meteor air-to-air missiles. The Meteor is an advanced beyond-visual-range missile that is strongly opposed by Greece, whose Defense Minister Mikos Dendias says the missiles could destabilize the balance of power in the region.

Meanwhile, Turkey is exploring other ways to bolster its defense, including developing its own fifth-generation fighter, the KAAN, by Turkish Aerospace Industries.

FMI:  www.eurofighter.com/