Germany is now reevaluating Turkey’s request to purchase Eurofighter warplanes, a move welcomed by Ankara after initial hesitation from Berlin. Turkey has been seeking to acquire at least 20 Eurofighter jets, valued at $5.6bn, but faced obstacles due to opposition within the German government, particularly from parties like the Green Party.
The reconsideration comes amidst escalating tensions in the Middle East, increasing Russian threats, and fears of conflict between Iran and Israel. While progress has been made on the deal, details remain undisclosed. Additionally, Germany recently approved the sale of weaponry worth $368m to Turkey, marking a significant shift in stance.
Despite ongoing discussions, Turkish-German relations have seen challenges, including scrutiny over weapon use and repatriation issues. Reports suggesting mass repatriation of Turkish citizens from Germany have been vehemently denied by Turkish officials. Discussions also involve technical cooperation to aid in identifying missing passports.
The broader context of immigration policy and security concerns following incidents like the Solingen attack have influenced German decision-making on various issues, including arms sales and visa procedures for Turkish citizens.