The German government has rejected reports claiming it vetoed the proposed sale of Eurofighter Typhoon jets to Türkiye, clarifying that no decision has been made under its current caretaker administration.
The statement, issued Friday, was in response to speculation that political concerns over Türkiye’s recent actions had prompted Berlin to halt the deal. German officials emphasized that key decisions on arms exports will be deferred to the incoming government, expected to take office in early May.
Türkiye is seeking to procure 40 Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft—a highly advanced multirole fighter co-developed by the UK, Germany, Italy, and Spain. As one of the program’s four partner nations, Germany’s consent is essential for the sale to move forward.
Ankara has already engaged in several rounds of negotiations with the UK and Spain, with the UK Ministry of Defence having submitted a formal offer in March. Although Germany was initially hesitant, it has recently taken steps toward facilitating the deal.
Tim-Niklas Wentzel, spokesperson for the Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action, told Anadolu Agency that arms export decisions fall outside the scope of a caretaker government’s mandate. “We generally do not comment on internal government consultations,” he added, alluding to ongoing coalition talks in Berlin.
While Germany’s statement may ease immediate diplomatic tension, uncertainty still looms over the Eurofighter purchase, which Ankara sees as more than just a defense transaction. Turkish officials regard the deal as a reflection of Europe’s broader strategic posture toward a key NATO ally.
International relations analyst Aylin Unver Noi highlighted the potential long-term consequences of a failed agreement. “Due to past arms embargoes, Türkiye has significantly ramped up its domestic defense production,” she told TRT World. “But closer cooperation in defense manufacturing remains crucial—not just for Türkiye’s security, but for Europe’s as well.”
She further emphasized the importance of integrating Türkiye into European defense frameworks, despite the country’s exclusion from the EU’s €150 billion SAFE (European Security and Defence) initiative.
