Turkey nears deal for fighter jets amid regional tensions

Turkey is urgently seeking to enhance its air power by proposing to European allies and the U.S. ways to quickly acquire advanced fighter jets, aiming to close the gap with regional rivals such as Israel. As a NATO member with the alliance's second-largest military, Turkey signed a preliminary deal to add 40 Eurofighter Typhoons to its aging fleet and plans to acquire U.S.-made F-35s despite current U.S. sanctions blocking the deal. The push for rapid air power reinforcement was prompted by Israeli strikes on Turkey's neighbors, revealing vulnerabilities and raising Ankara's security concerns. President Tayyip Erdogan has sharply criticized Israel's actions in Gaza and the broader region, while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has warned that Turkey’s military presence in Syria poses a threat to Israel. Turkey is considering buying second-hand Eurofighter jets from countries like Qatar and Oman to accelerate its capabilities and is exploring ways to overcome U.S. restrictions. The move also reflects tensions with Greece, which is expected to receive advanced F-35s soon, continuing the sensitive military balance in the region.