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Originally posted by FredT
Anybody ever think that this may be a political play tied into thier application to join the EU? With Austria balking at letting them in and reluctance by some other EU members, Turkey may be saying "Fine, we will buy US when the Typhoon is avalible for purchases and France is deprate for an export sale to anybody with the Rafale?
Turkey is being offered full partnership in the Eurofighter Typhoon combat aircraft program.
With a Greek deal to purchase the Typhoon near moribund, Eurofighter is turning its attention to Athens' Aegean neighbor as it seeks export sales. Greece is expected to compete its fighter requirement once again; Typhoon had been provisionally selected. The likely re-bid is partly caused by funding problems with the original procurement.
Irrespective of Ankara's recent $1.1-billion investment in a Lockheed Martin F-16 upgrade program--and Turkey's interest in the F-35--industry executives involved with the Typhoon believe there is an opportunity for the aircraft. The tactic is to position the Typhoon as a complement, rather than a competitor, to the Joint Strike Fighter.
Some Eurofighter partner nations (Britain, Germany, Italy and Spain) are being increasingly vocal in their support of Turkey's ambitions to join the European Union (EU). Last week, Jack Straw, Britain's foreign secretary, reiterated his support for Turkey's accession to the EU. Talks on the matter begin this week.
Eurofighter