Germany Backs Turkey’s Eurofighter Purchase Amid Broader EU Defense Dialogue German Chancellor Friedrich Merz praised Turkey’s acquisition of 20 Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jets, calling it a “significant boost” to NATO’s collective defense posture amid rising tensions with Russia. The statement came during Merz’s official visit to Ankara, where both nations explored deeper security and migration cooperation. However, the talks were marked by disagreement over the ongoing conflict in Gaza. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan criticized Merz’s remarks supporting Israel’s actions, asserting that “over 60,000 women, children, and elderly civilians have been killed by Israeli bombardments.” Erdoğan emphasized that the humanitarian toll in Gaza undermined Western credibility on human rights. Beyond regional politics, both sides also discussed Turkey’s access to the European Union’s €150-billion Security Action for Europe (SAFE) initiative. Ankara, though technically eligible, faces opposition from Greece, which has threatened to veto Turkish participation. Germany has signaled willingness to mediate, seeing Turkey’s inclusion as vital to strengthening Europe’s defense industrial base and NATO interoperability. Merz further thanked Erdoğan for Turkey’s facilitation of the October 10 ceasefire in Gaza and urged Ankara to use its regional influence to persuade Hamas to engage in the agreement’s next phase. Berlin also sought Turkey’s cooperation on the return of rejected asylum seekers and renewed deportations to Syria — issues central to German domestic politics. The visit underscored a pragmatic recalibration in Germany-Turkey ties: Berlin seeks Ankara’s leverage in migration and Middle East diplomacy, while Turkey eyes defense collaboration and renewed EU engagement.
