Will Turkey buy F-16s or Eurofighters? Here is the reason...

Journalist Murat Yetkin has written an article regarding Turkey's preferences between F-16s, the National Combat Aircraft Kaan, and Eurofighters. 

"So, given that the F-16s are coming and the National Combat Aircraft (MMU) Kaan has made its first flight, why is Turkey still striving to purchase Eurofighters?" asked Yetkin, explaining the possible reasons as follows: 

"THE TSK DOES NOT WANT TO FACE PROBLEMS"

"-Transition period: The earliest date for the MMU Kaan to join the Turkish Air Force fleet is projected to be 2032. This depends on Turkey's plan to transition to domestic production for the Kaan engine by 2028. The new F-16s arriving within two years will only be enough to cover the deficit. During this transition period, the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) do not want to have any gaps in their air defense strategy—which was originally built on the assumption that F-35s would arrive—especially while taking into account rising political tensions in the region. On the other hand, the TSK does not want to experience new S-400-style problems with non-NATO aircraft, such as the Su-35 or Su-57 that Russia wants to sell."

"IT WANTS TO GET RID OF DEPENDENCE ON THE US"

"-Diversity: On the other hand, while the military wants to work with NATO-compatible weapons systems, it also wants to get rid of its dependence on the US. This is actually not a new problem; it dates back to the late 1980s. Even during the Turgut Özal era, after the first batch of 160 F-16s manufactured in Turkey, the option of purchasing the next 80 fighter jets from Europe was considered, but due to diplomatic pressure, the decision was made to stick with F-16s."

EUROFIGHTER STUCK ON GERMANY

"-US Congress: Turkey does not want to deal with the pressure of lobbies in the US Congress again. Although similar problems exist in European countries. For example, while the UK, Spain, and Italy—the joint producer countries of the Eurofighter Typhoon jet—do not pose problems for the sale to Turkey, approval still cannot be obtained from Germany. The reason why Güler discussed the issue with his British counterpart is his belief that the UK can persuade Germany. The subject was also on the agenda during British Foreign Secretary David Cameron's visit to Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan on January 26, the very day the US State Department approved the F-16V sale."

News Source: 12punto