Turkey waits for Qatar to send Eurofighter Typhoon sale contract

Turkey's Defense Ministry said on Thursday that it is waiting for Qatar to send a sales contract and a draft training programme for Eurofighter Typhoon jets. Reuters reported that the request is part of Ankara's deal with Britain to procure the aircraft, and that talks on the procurement are continuing.

At its weekly press briefing, the ministry said Turkish and Qatari delegations discussed technical and logistical matters in August and September, according to Reuters. These included the scope of jets and ammunition to be procured, and training for pilots and maintenance teams. "It is expected for Qatar to prepare the draft training programme and the sales contract to be sent to our country," the ministry said, as quoted by Reuters.

NATO allies Turkey and Britain signed a deal for 20 jets last year, Reuters reported. Under that deal, Qatar and Oman can supply Turkey with some of their own Typhoons, but this requires a separate sales contract. Reuters said Ankara has also sought 24 more jets from Qatar and Oman, with little progress. The Jerusalem Post, an Israeli outlet, carried the same account and described progress on that procurement as limited. Belaaz said negotiations over the additional jets have moved forward slowly.

Turkish Minute cited the state-run Anadolu news agency, which reported the ministry's remarks. It said Ankara has previously outlined plans to buy 12 aircraft each from Qatar and Oman, potentially building a fleet of 44. It added that the first new aircraft from Britain are expected in 2030, and that Turkey has been pursuing secondhand jets that could become available sooner.

Reuters said the ministry also reported that its defense budget was increased for 2027. It cited ongoing domestic projects for air defenses and platforms, the KAAN fighter jet programme, drone development and shipbuilding.

How we got here

• October 2025: Turkey and Britain signed the agreement covering 20 newly built Typhoons, according to Turkish Minute. It said London valued the package at up to £8 billion, about $10.7 billion at the time.
• August and September: Turkish and Qatari delegations held meetings on the aircraft, ammunition, training and maintenance, Reuters and Turkish Minute reported.
• September: Turkish pilots began flying the Typhoon in Britain, following an introductory aviation terminology course, Turkish Minute reported.
• Wednesday: Turkey signed an accord with Qatar, Pakistan and Indonesia to boost defense cooperation, including through joint development and production, Reuters reported. Turkish Minute said the Badr Memorandum of Understanding was signed in Doha and covers defense production, research and development and technical military training.
• Thursday, October 22: The Defense Ministry said at its weekly briefing that it was waiting for Qatar's draft training programme and sales contract, according to Reuters.