On April 17, Germany’s parliament made a bold move by blocking the sale of around three dozen Eurofighter Typhoon jets to Turkey.
Germany Halts Fighter Jet Sale Over Political Concerns
These advanced fighter jets, which are built by a group of European countries including Germany, the U.K., Italy, and Spain, require the approval of all four nations before being sold to another country.
The decision to block the deal wasn’t just about weapons—it was deeply political. German lawmakers were alarmed by the recent arrest of a leading opposition figure in Turkey, the mayor of Istanbul. This mayor had become popular with many Turkish citizens and was seen as a possible challenger to the country’s current leadership. His arrest raised serious concerns about freedom and democracy in Turkey. German officials called the arrest an “attack on Turkish democracy,” and this strong reaction led them to say no to the jet sale.
Germany’s choice carries a powerful message: democratic values matter, even in defense deals. By blocking the sale, Germany is showing it does not want to support a government that punishes political opponents.
Turkey’s Struggle to Modernize Its Air Force
Turkey has been looking to upgrade its air force for years. With many of its current fighter jets aging, the country has been trying to buy new ones to keep up with other modern air forces. The Eurofighter Typhoon was one of its top choices. These jets are fast, powerful, and widely used by some of the most advanced militaries in the world.
But buying the Eurofighter isn’t simple. Since it’s made by four different countries, all of them must agree before any sale goes through. Germany’s vote against the deal means the sale is now off the table, at least for now.
This isn’t the only challenge Turkey has faced in its efforts to modernize. In 2019, Turkey was removed from the U.S.-led F-35 fighter jet program. That happened because Turkey bought a missile defense system from Russia—a decision that caused major concern among its NATO allies, especially the United States. The U.S. said the Russian system could threaten the safety of the F-35 jets.
Since then, Turkey has tried other ways to strengthen its air force. In 2024, it signed a deal with the United States to buy 40 new F-16 jets and modernization kits to update its older ones. However, as Turkey has also been trying to return to the F-35 program, it ended up reducing that F-16 order. Turkish leaders have been holding talks with U.S. officials to try and get back into the F-35 project, including discussions about lifting sanctions that were placed on Turkey back in 2020.
High-Level Meeting With Hamas Raises Global Concerns
Just two days after Germany blocked the jet sale, Turkey hosted a high-profile meeting that drew even more international attention. On April 19, Turkey’s foreign minister and its intelligence chief met with senior members of Hamas, a group that is widely known for its violent actions and is backed by Iran. Several Western countries, including the U.S. and European nations, classify Hamas as a terrorist organization.
Among the visitors were top figures from the group, including political and military leaders. This meeting happened just months after a deadly attack by Hamas in Israel in October 2023. Since then, tensions have been extremely high in the region, and the world has been watching closely.
Turkey’s leadership has been openly critical of Israel, and the public meeting with Hamas officials made headlines around the world. It also raised fresh concerns about Turkey’s role on the international stage—especially when combined with its efforts to buy advanced military aircraft from allies in Europe and the U.S.
Some experts say these actions make it hard for other countries to trust Turkey with top-level military equipment. They worry that giving such powerful weapons to a country that meets with violent groups and jails opposition leaders could put regional stability and allied interests at risk.
Germany’s decision to block the Eurofighter sale isn’t just about a fighter jet. It’s a statement about democracy, trust, and the kind of values that should guide global partnerships. As Turkey continues to pursue new military hardware and engage in controversial diplomacy, the world is watching—closely.
