Skip to main content

What will be the next Turkish fighter aircraft?


by Martin Aslan

Türkiye is struggling to find willing sellers for modern fighter jets. Ankara faces significant challenges in acquiring its next-generation combat aircraft and remains entangled in ongoing diplomatic disputes.


The F-35 fallout

Ankara originally intended to purchase 100 F-35 fighter jets from the United States beginning in 2002, when Türkiye joined the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program as a partner nation. Over the following years, it invested in the development and production phases of the aircraft. However, in a significant shift, Türkiye signed a deal with Russia in 2017 to acquire the Russian-made S-400 air defense system. The first deliveries of the S-400 system began in July 2019. This decision sparked concerns among NATO allies over interoperability and security, as the S-400 is not compatible with NATO defense infrastructure. As a result, Türkiye was officially removed from the F-35 program in July 2019. The move marked a turning point in Türkiye’s defense policy and its relations with key Western partners.

As a result, in 2019, following the first delivery of the S-400 system, the US government suspended Türkiye’s participation in the F-35 program. Washington also imposed sanctions on Turkish entities under the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA).

More recently, amid ongoing tensions in Syria, Israel has reportedly attempted to block Türkiye’s return to the F-35 program. But then-U.S. President Donald Trump praised Turkish actions in Syria, stating that Türkiye had 'done something that nobody was able to do,' and urged Israel to 'be reasonable.' Still, this statement did not signal a shift in U.S. policy. Washington remained cautious and unwilling to fully reopen the door to F-35 sales to Ankara.


A potential F-16 alternative?

Since being excluded from the F-35 program, Türkiye has shifted its focus toward acquiring new F-16, a platform it has operated since the 1980s. Turkish officials have requested that the funds already invested in the F-35 program be redirected toward the purchase of updated F-16 models.


Tensions with Germany over Eurofighter acquisition

In parallel, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has turned to Europe in an effort to acquire Eurofighter Typhoons. Türkiye is reportedly seeking a mix of 20 brand-new and 20 used jets. This move highlights an ironic shift in Ankara's stance on secondhand military equipment, given its past criticism of Greece for purchasing used Rafale F3Rs from France.

Ankara faces strong opposition from Berlin. Germany, one of the four partner nations in the Eurofighter program with the UK, France, and Italy, vetoed the sale of Typhoons to Türkiye. Chancellor Olaf Scholz reportedly blocked the deal in response to the arrest of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu in March. This episode underscores how domestic political developments in Türkiye can reverberate through its foreign policy and arms procurement efforts. Ankara cannot act entirely on its own terms without accounting for the concerns of its international partners.


A domestically developed solution?

Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) is developing the Kaan, a fifth-generation fighter intended to eventually replace the F-16. It successfully flew for the first time in February 2024. However, Türkiye’s continued interest in European fighter jets raises questions about its confidence in its domestic defense industry and the consistency of its long-term strategic goals. Some analysts suggest that Ankara may also view these acquisitions as an opportunity to gain exposure to advanced technologies that could inform and accelerate its own fighter development programs.

TAI is also working on the Hürjet, a light combat aircraft powered by American-made engines. The Hürjet made its first flight in 2023, but it is primarily considered a jet trainer rather than a true frontline fighter.


Conclusion 

Türkiye’s search for a next-generation fighter aircraft reflects the complex intersection of defense needs, diplomatic challenges, and strategic ambition. While Ankara has made strides in developing its own platforms like the Kaan and Hürjet, its sustained efforts to acquire Western jets such as the F-16 and Eurofighter Typhoon reveal an ongoing dependence on foreign technology and suppliers.

Political tensions, both domestic and international, have further complicated these efforts, from US sanctions over the S-400 deal to Germany’s veto of Eurofighter exports. As Türkiye navigates this uncertain landscape, its ability to balance geopolitical relationships with the goal of defense self-sufficiency will be critical in shaping the future of its air force.

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Relations between Türkiye and Latin America

by Martin Aslan Türkiye has established a real presence in regions such as Africa, especially in Libya and Somalia, as well as in Central Asia. Yet, one part of the world remains relatively under the radar in Turkish foreign policy: Latin America. Despite the geographical distance, it seems Ankara has been quietly working to expand its defense footprint in the region. Interestingly, the roots of Türkiye’s connection to Latin America stretch back to the 19th century, when immigrants from the Ottoman Empire, mostly Arabs, settled in South America. Locals called them "Los Turcos" (The Turks), a nickname that still stucks despite their actual ethnic origins. High-level visits and diplomatic expansion Türkiye launched an “Action Plan for Latin America and the Caribbean” in 1998. It was revised in 2006, when Türkiye declared that year as the “Year of Latin America and the Caribbean”. The plan served as a formal roadmap for engaging more seriously in the region. The first Turkish pr...
Post a Comment
Read more

Beyond Diplomacy: Türkiye’s Economic Footprint in Africa

by Martin Aslan Over the past two decades, Türkiye has undergone a significant transformation in its foreign policy, with the African continent emerging as a key strategic focus. Driven by a mix of economic ambition, diplomatic outreach, and geopolitical recalibration, Türkiye has steadily expanded its presence across Africa. This shift, which accelerated after Reçep Tayyip Erdoğan came to power in 2003, is reflected in the rapid increase in Turkish embassies, investment flows, and trade partnerships on the continent. While officials emphasize a “win-win” model of cooperation, critics argue that Türkiye’s engagement is guided more by resource acquisition and market access than by mutual development goals. Let’s not forget that Africa is a continent rich in natural resources, while Türkiye has very few (see the article “Africa, a continent with growing appeal”: https://turkishpulse.blogspot.com/2023/10/africa-continent-with-growing-appeal.html). This article examines the development of ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Central Asia’s Cyprus Shift: Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and Turkmenistan Defy Türkiye’s Stance

By Derya Vogel Why would Central Asian nations—key members of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS)—publicly challenge a Turkish-backed entity in the Mediterranean? At the EU–Central Asia Summit in Samarkand on April 3–4, 2025, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and Turkmenistan made a surprising move: they endorsed UN Security Council Resolutions 541 and 550, which reject the legitimacy of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), a breakaway state recognized only by Türkiye. These resolutions reaffirm the Republic of Cyprus as the island’s sole legal government and call on all UN members not to recognize the TRNC or support its consolidation. To understand this shift, we must look back to 1974, when Cyprus was divided following a coup by Greek Cypriot nationalists aiming for unification with Greece. Türkiye responded by intervening militarily, leading to the island’s partition. The TRNC declared independence in 1983, but has remained diplomatically isolated. Türkiye, however, has consis...
Post a Comment
Read more