German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has praised Turkey’s purchase of 20 Eurofighter Typhoon jets, calling it a strategic boost to NATO’s collective airpower amid rising tension with Russia. The announcement followed high-level talks in Ankara, where Merz and President Recep Tayyip Erdogan also discussed Middle East stability and migration policy. Merz thanked Erdogan for his mediation in the October 10 truce, urging continued Turkish influence to bring Hamas into the agreement’s second phase. However, Erdogan publicly disagreed with Merz on Gaza, condemning Israeli airstrikes that he said had killed over 60,000 civilians. The Eurofighter acquisition marks a major upgrade for the Turkish Air Force as it pursues multirole fighter capability amid ongoing delays in the US F-16 deal. Ankara also hopes Germany’s backing will help it access the EU’s €150 billion Security Action for Europe (SAFE) defense initiative, which seeks to enhance European armament cooperation. Greek opposition has thus far prevented unanimous approval required from all 27 EU members. Berlin has hinted at potential support for Turkey’s SAFE participation, reflecting a broader German-Turkish rapprochement after years of friction. Beyond defense, Merz sought Ankara’s assistance in repatriating rejected asylum seekers and cooperation over deportations to Syria. Germany’s Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul visited Damascus this week — the first such visit in years — to meet President Ahmed al-Sharaa. Analysts say the visit underscores Berlin’s dual track: bolstering NATO’s southeastern flank while managing domestic migration challenges. The Eurofighter sale, if finalized, would deepen Turkey’s integration into European defense structures and expand its industrial access to high-end aeronautics. For NATO, the move strengthens air-defense readiness in the Black Sea region, demonstrating renewed German leadership within the alliance.
