Germany Blocks Eurofighter Deal with Turkey Over Political Crisis, Shaking NATO and Defence Ties

On April 17, 2025, Germany made a bold move that sent ripples across Europe and NATO. The country, under a caretaker government led by the Social Democrats and Greens, officially blocked the sale of around three dozen Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jets to Turkey. This decision was not just about weapons—it came against the backdrop of a serious political controversy involving Turkey’s arrest of opposition leader Ekrem İmamoğlu.

Germany saw the arrest as a clear attack on democracy. Calling it politically motivated, German officials argued that moving forward with a major arms deal in such circumstances would be wrong. This marked a sharp shift in tone, especially after months of earlier progress on the deal.

For Turkey, the veto is a major setback. The Eurofighters were meant to modernise its air force, especially after its removal from the American F-35 program due to its controversial purchase of Russian S-400 missile systems. Without the Typhoons, Turkey’s aging F-16 fleet continues to face strain, and its hopes of upgrading its airpower in a critical region now face serious delays.

The Eurofighter Typhoon—developed by a European consortium of Germany, the UK, Italy, and Spain—is one of the most capable 4.5-generation fighters. With its high speed, powerful radar, and ability to carry various weapons, it was considered ideal for Turkey’s needs in areas like the Aegean and the Black Sea, where tensions remain high with both Greece and Russia.

However, Germany’s refusal to approve the export has created internal tensions within the Eurofighter group. The UK, Spain, and Italy were in favor of the sale, citing both economic benefits and the strategic importance of keeping Turkey aligned with NATO defence standards. But because exports require unanimous approval, Germany’s stance effectively blocks the entire deal.

This isn’t the first time Germany’s strict arms export rules have caused friction within the consortium. A similar situation unfolded with Saudi Arabia, showing how Germany’s emphasis on human rights can complicate business and defence agreements with other countries.

The wider geopolitical impact of this decision is significant. Turkey plays a central role in NATO, acting as a bridge between Europe, the Middle East, and Central Asia. It hosts vital military bases and is deeply involved in regional affairs, from Syria to Libya. A weakened Turkish air force limits NATO’s flexibility and could tilt the balance in regions where Greece—currently upgrading its own air force with U.S. and French jets—might gain the upper hand.

Inside Turkey, the German veto is likely to fuel domestic political narratives. President Erdoğan may use it to accuse the West of double standards, reinforcing his nationalist base and deflecting criticism over democratic decline. At the same time, Turkey’s opposition is using İmamoğlu’s arrest to highlight growing authoritarianism—an argument that is resonating abroad but may also deepen internal divides.

Turkey doesn’t have many alternatives at the moment. Its homegrown fighter jet program, the TF-X (Kaan), is still years from being ready. Buying jets from Russia or China would create serious compatibility problems within NATO and raise political tensions with the West.

For the Eurofighter program itself, losing a large deal like this could hurt its competitiveness. With the U.S. F-35 and France’s Rafale already dominating many international markets, every lost opportunity weakens the case for continuing large-scale production and future European defence cooperation.

In essence, Germany’s decision to block the Eurofighter sale to Turkey shows how foreign policy based on democratic values can come into direct conflict with strategic and military needs. While it sends a clear message about Europe’s stance on human rights and democracy, it also complicates NATO’s unity and shakes confidence in Europe’s defence industry.

This one decision reveals the difficult balance between ethics and alliances—and how, in global politics, the fallout can extend far beyond the fighter jets that never left the hangar.