With bated breath, it examines the conclusions from the visit of British Prime Minister Keir Starmer to Ankara, as the €9 billion agreement for the supply of 20 Eurofighter combat aircraft to Turkey has been signed.
The finalization of the deal has, understandably, caused turbulence in Greece, with reports suggesting that the agreement could alter the balance of power in the Aegean, creating new strategic challenges for Athens.
According to a report by the website Middle East Eye, Ankara and London negotiated the purchase of 40 Eurofighter Tranche 4, the latest and most advanced version, equipped with new avionics and radar systems.
The agreement includes the temporary delivery of 20 aircraft from the Royal Air Force (RAF) to accelerate delivery, while the remaining 20 will be customized to meet Turkish requirements and delivered later.
In an impressive move, Starmer sent two Eurofighters to Ankara before his visit, sending a strong political message about the importance of the agreement to London.
It is not yet clear whether the aircraft will remain in Turkey or if their transfer was merely symbolic.
Turkey faces an urgent need to modernize its air force, which traditionally remains dependent on American F-16s and other aircraft.
The introduction of the Eurofighter offers a temporary yet significant interim solution until the domestic production of the Kaan fifth-generation fighter is completed in 2028.
The agreement follows the lifting of the German veto that had blocked the sale in 2024, while a visit by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz to Turkey is scheduled for October, further highlighting the importance of European strategic agreements in the region.
Alarm
For Athens, the finalization of the agreement sounds the alarm, as the acquisition of modern fighters by Turkey could shift the balance in the Aegean, creating new conditions in terms of air superiority and military equilibrium.
Analysts point out that the Eurofighter Tranche 4 agreement is not merely a weapons purchase but a strategic move that strengthens Turkey’s position in an already tense region.
Any delay or early implementation of the agreement could have significant geopolitical consequences, keeping Greece in a state of constant vigilance.
The official finalization of the agreement is expected during Starmer’s visit to Ankara, and in the coming period, announcements are expected that could directly affect the strategic balance in the Eastern Mediterranean and the Aegean.
London shows interest in KAAN – Starmer astonished by Turkey’s national fighter aircraft
Meanwhile, according to Hurriyet, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who is on an official visit to Turkey, visited the Kahramankazan facilities of the Turkish Aerospace Industries (TUSAŞ) and was briefed in detail about the domestically produced KAAN fighter aircraft.
According to a post from the NSosyal account of the Ministry of National Defense (MSB), Starmer went to TUSAŞ accompanied by Minister of National Defense Yaşar Güler, following the welcome ceremony at the Mürted Air Command, where he received information about the capabilities and features of the KAAN.
The post also included photographic material from the visit, showing UK Defense Secretary John Healey, Commander of the Turkish Air Force General Ziya Cemal Kadioglu, and Commander of the Royal Air Force General Harv Smith.
Starmer’s tour of the KAAN underscores London’s growing interest in Turkish aircraft and the potential for cooperation in defense technology, reinforcing the strategic and diplomatic importance of the visit.
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