Germany Blocks Eurofighter Sale to Turkey Following Arrest of İmamoğlu

Germany’s outgoing government has reportedly blocked a British proposal to sell dozens of Eurofighter Typhoon jets to Turkey following the arrest of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, a leading opposition figure. The move threatens to strain relations between Berlin and London, which had been finalizing a deal for up to 40 advanced fighter aircraft.

British Defense Secretary John Healey recently visited Ankara to discuss the potential sale, which would support around 20,000 jobs in the UK. The Eurofighter Typhoon, a collaborative project involving Germany, Italy, and Spain, requires approval from all partner nations for export. British officials argue that Turkey—a key NATO ally—is a vital market, particularly as the UK seeks to sustain production ahead of its next-generation Tempest fighter program, developed with Italy and Japan.

However, Germany is said to have vetoed the deal after İmamoğlu, a prominent critic of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, was detained last month on corruption charges widely viewed as politically motivated. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz condemned the arrest, calling it a "very, very bad sign" for Turkey-EU relations.

Diplomatic and Industrial Fallout

The veto risks reigniting tensions between Germany and the UK over arms exports. In 2023, Berlin initially opposed British plans to sell Eurofighters to Saudi Arabia before relenting under pressure. This latest dispute comes as Turkey seeks to modernize its air force, with plans to acquire 20 older Tranche 1 models followed by 20 advanced Tranche 4 jets.

Germany’s economics ministry, which oversees arms export controls, declined to confirm or deny the report. A spokesperson stated that export decisions are made on a "case-by-case basis" after considering foreign policy and security implications.

Broader Strategic Implications

The blockage highlights divisions within NATO and the Eurofighter consortium. Turkey, the alliance’s second-largest military, plays a critical role in regional security but has faced criticism over its human rights record and purchase of Russian S-400 missile systems, which led to its expulsion from the U.S. F-35 program.

With U.S. reliability under scrutiny amid Trump's return, European-made fighters like the Eurofighter, France’s Rafale, and Sweden’s Gripen have gained renewed interest. Meanwhile, Turkey is pursuing alternatives, including its domestically developed Kaan jet, which completed its maiden flight last year.

Germany’s political landscape adds further complexity. The incoming coalition, led by Friedrich Merz’s Christian Democrats, has pledged to streamline arms exports but faces opposition from Scholz’s Social Democrats. Merz may use the Eurofighter deal as leverage in negotiations with Ankara, possibly linking progress to İmamoğlu’s release.

As Turkey reviews the UK’s proposal, the standoff underscores the delicate balance between defense partnerships, human rights concerns, and geopolitical strategy.