With other EU states: Berlin reportedly agreed to Eurofighter delivery to Türkiye

Turkish President Erdogan has been bombing Kurds for many years, and tensions with Greece have also arisen. Nevertheless, several European countries have reportedly decided to supply Eurofighters to Ankara. However, their use is reportedly restricted.

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, reports "Der Spiegel." 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.

The coalition government of Chancellor Friedrich Merz thus also responded to the pressure of British Prime Minister Keir Starmer. The Eurofighter is being built in a consortium that includes Great Britain and Germany, as well as Italy and Spain. Without the approval of the German government, the other partners cannot export to third countries.

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.

No appearances against Greece

According to the magazine, during the review process, Turkey pledged to use the aircraft only within NATO as part of its solidarity, and 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.

In April, the "Handelsblatt" reported, citing "several sources familiar with the secret internal government deliberations," that the caretaker government of the SPD and the Greens had blocked the Eurofighter export license because of the arrest of Turkish opposition leader Ekrem Imamoglu .