ANKARA: Türkiye started discussing shopping for 40 Eurofighter Hurricane jets with European states after it noticed that its request for F-16 jets from america might not work out, a Turkish defence ministry supply stated on Thursday (Nov 23).
Defence Minister Yasar Guler stated final week that Türkiye was in talks with Britain and Spain to purchase Eurofighter Hurricane jets, although Germany objected to the concept.
Guler was holding talks on the problem along with his British counterpart Grant Shapps in Ankara on Thursday, the supply stated. Türkiye desires to purchase essentially the most superior, newly constructed model of the Eurofighter, he added.
NATO member Türkiye requested in October 2021 to purchase 40 Lockheed Martin Corp F-16 fighters and 79 modernisation kits for its present warplanes.
President Joe Biden’s administration helps the US$20-billion sale, however there was objections within the US Congress over Türkiye’s delaying of NATO enlargement and its human rights report.
Türkiye has knowledgeable NATO that the ratification of Sweden’s membership bid won’t be accomplished by the alliance’s overseas ministers assembly subsequent week, additional complicating issues.
“Turkish air forces are in want of recent plane. Our first selection is F-16s … However contemplating the chance that we’d not get a constructive response on this extended course of, the Eurofighter Hurricane jets are essentially the most appropriate alternate options to F-16s,” the supply stated.
“The (officers from) the UK say that they may assist convincing Germany to again down their objections,” he added.
The Eurofighter Hurricane jets are constructed by a consortium of Germany, Britain, Italy and Spain, represented by Airbus, BAE Techniques and Leonardo.