Image reproduced from 三立新聞網

On the 26th, Germany officially approved Turkey's procurement of 40 Typhoon fighter jets from the UK. This decision not only resolves the political impasse between the two countries in recent years but also aids Turkey in advancing its air force modernization goals, making it a more significant player in European security affairs.

According to the military news website 'Army Recognition', German Chancellor Merz formally approved Turkey's fighter jet procurement plan after holding bilateral talks with Turkish President Erdogan at the NATO summit in The Hague. This move was coordinated among coalition members of the Typhoon fighter program: the UK, Spain, and Italy. The final contract details are still pending and are estimated to be worth several hundred million euros.

Merz stated that strengthening defense cooperation with Turkey signifies a strategic achievement, which will effectively reinforce NATO's southeastern defense line and further enhance European defense autonomy. Turkey also believes that through the acquisition of the new aircraft, it can not only advance its air force modernization program but also enhance critical air defense capabilities.

Previous reports indicated that Turkey already had plans to purchase 40 Typhoon jets from the UK, but Germany expressed concerns that this might destabilize the region and that the jets could potentially be used against the Kurdish population within Turkey. Additionally, as the aircraft contain German-made components, Germany had previously resisted the sale. Now, with Germany's approval, NATO's overall defense capacity is expected to strengthen.