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Turkey

Turkey Seeks Western Fighter Jets To Catch Up With Regional Rival Israel

Ankara is pursuing Western warplanes to modernize its aging fleet and narrow the gap with regional competitors, including Israel. Building on improved ties, Turkey has floated proposals to obtain 40 Eurofighter Typhoons and, down the line, US-made F-35s despite current American restrictions. Officials hope friendlier relations with Europe and Washington will help secure approvals and deliveries.

Turkish strategists see the procurement as part of a dual track: procuring advanced jets abroad while developing a domestic stealth-fighter program. The effort reflects Ankara’s desire to bolster deterrence, enhance interoperability with NATO partners, and expand its industrial base.

Regional observers note that airpower balances can shift quickly based on access to platforms, training, and sustainment. For Israel, which already fields F-35s and plans further upgrades, Turkey’s shopping list underscores how Gaza-related diplomacy is intersecting with evolving defense postures across the Middle East.

(TOI/VFI News)

“Some trust in chariots, and some in horses; but we will remember the name of the Lord our God.” – Psalm 20:7