Turkey deepens Europe defense ties with UK aircraft deal, German security talks

Ezgi Akin

TOKYO, JAPAN - AUGUST 31: Members of the British Royal Navy walk near helicopters parked aboard HMS Prince of Wales, the navy's flagship aircraft carrier, during a public ship tour at the Tokyo International Cruise Terminal on August 31, 2025, in Tokyo, Japan. The aircraft carrier was opened to the public in connection with the UK Carrier Strike Group's (CSG) port call in Tokyo. The group has been in Japan since August 12 for joint training exercises. (Photo by Tomohiro Ohsumi/Getty Images) — Members of the British Royal Navy walk near helicopters parked aboard HMS Prince of Wales, the navy's flagship aircraft carrier, during a public ship tour at the Tokyo International Cruise Terminal on August 31, 2025, in Tokyo, Japan. — Tomohiro Ohsumi/Getty Images

ANKARA — As Turkey expands its defense cooperation with European powers, Ankara has purchased military cargo planes from the United Kingdom and will host Germany’s foreign minister for talks on joint defense projects.

Turkey has purchased 12 military transport aircraft from the United Kingdom, a Turkish Defense Ministry source told reporters on Thursday on condition of anonymity.

The planes are undergoing maintenance and modernization before being delivered to the Turkish Air Force, the source added without giving a date.

The United Kingdom, which retired its fleet of US-made Lockheed C-130 Hercules military transport aircraft in 2023 after more than 50 years in service and replaced them with the European-made Airbus A400M Atlas aircraft, has since been seeking buyers.

Turkey deepens Europe defense ties with UK aircraft deal, German security talks

Turkey-European defense cooperation is deepening as Ankara finalizes a military transport deal with the UK and prepares for high-level defense talks with Germany.

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