According to a Deutsche Welle report, the long-anticipated agreement for the sale of Eurofighter Typhoon combat aircraft to Turkey is now approaching its final stage.
Airbus Defence and Space CEO Michael Schöllhorn revealed in an exclusive interview with Turkey’s Anadolu Agency that negotiations are “in the final phase” and expressed strong optimism that a deal will soon be reached.
Schöllhorn confirmed that earlier German objections to the sale have been overcome. The new German coalition government under Chancellor Friedrich Merz has clarified that it will not block the transaction. “The German government has made it very clear: it will not obstruct but rather support the delivery of Eurofighters to Turkey,” Schöllhorn stated.
He further explained that the British aerospace company BAE Systems, a key partner in the Eurofighter consortium, is now leading the final round of commercial and technical discussions with Ankara regarding the sale of 40 Eurofighter Typhoon jets. “These are commercial and technical talks between Eurofighter—led by our partner BAE Systems—and the Turkish state,” he said, expressing optimism that an agreement will soon be finalized.
The Airbus chief also issued a broader warning to European governments, urging them to boost defence spending and strengthen cooperation within Europe. He stressed that recent geopolitical developments prove that Europe faces “real threats” and cannot rely solely on the United States for its defence and security.
Schöllhorn also called for renewed collaboration between European and Turkish defence industries, which has been limited in recent years due to political tensions and objections from EU members such as Greece and Cyprus. “Turkey is not a member of the EU, but it is a NATO member. Therefore, there must be a path for cooperation,” he said.
The statement comes just days before German Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s first official visit to Turkey on October 30, where he is expected to meet President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan to discuss defence and bilateral relations.
