Germany approves delivery of 40 Eurofighter Jets to Turkey

According to a media report, the German government is clearing the way for the delivery of Eurofighter fighter jets to Turkey. The Federal Security Council has approved a preliminary request for 40 of the aircraft, "Der Spiegel" reported on Wednesday. They are to be built in Great Britain with supplies from Germany. The secret committee reportedly approved a request from Turkey, which it had already submitted in March 2023.

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The coalition government of Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) thus complied with the urging of British Prime Minister Keir Starmer. The Eurofighter is being built in a consortium that includes Great Britain, Germany, Italy, and Spain. Without the approval of the German government, the other partners cannot export to third countries.

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According to "Der Spiegel," both Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the British government, and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis were informed of the new German government's decision. Although Greece and Turkey are both members of NATO, tensions remain between the two countries due to competing territorial claims.

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Turkey gave assurances during the review process that the aircraft would only be used within the framework of NATO solidarity, i.e. not against another member of the alliance. The planned authorization was also discussed with Mitsotakis before the German government granted it. Greece, for its part, had purchased 24 Rafale fighter jets from France, the last of which were delivered in January.