Turkey to buy 40 fighter jets from Qatar amid Israel tensions

Turkey is negotiating with Qatar to buy 40 Eurofighter jets in a move that may undermine Israel’s air dominance in the region.

By World Israel News Staff

Turkey is intensifying its efforts to purchase 40 fighter jets from Qatar — a move that could potentially weaken Israel’s long-standing air superiority in the region.

According to a Bloomberg report, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan visited Qatar on Wednesday as part of ongoing negotiations to acquire 24 used and 16 new Eurofighter Typhoon jets from the Gulf kingdom.

“Turkey has been trying to negotiate to acquire some of Qatar’s used Eurofighters,” an anonymous source told AFP, adding that “in exchange, Turkey has offered access to its new-generation fighter jet, the Kaan, as part of a potential technology transfer arrangement.”

The United Kingdom is reportedly playing a central role in facilitating the deal.

“We look forward to agreeing on the final contracting details soon,” a UK government spokesperson told Reuters, saying London had helped secure “a multibillion-pound order of up to 40 aircraft.”

The sale is expected to take place in the near future.

Ankara has been seeking new aircraft since it was barred from purchasing American F-35s in 2019 following its acquisition of Russian-made S-400 air defense systems. The Eurofighter deal would help fill a significant gap in Turkey’s air force capabilities.

Since the outbreak of the Swords of Iron war, Turkey has escalated its criticism of Israel and taken several punitive measures against the Jewish state. In May 2024, Ankara suspended all trade with Israel, framing the move as an act of solidarity with Gaza.

Meanwhile, the IHH Foundation — a Turkish group designated as a terror organization by Israel and several European countries — has begun to operate freely in the Gaza Strip.

Erdogan has also signaled his intention to expand the deployment of Turkish troops in Syria, Israel’s northeastern neighbor, raising further security concerns in Jerusalem.

The Turkish leader has repeatedly lashed out at Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, calling him a “vampire” who feeds on the blood of Gazan children and a “psychopath.”