 "Representational Image- Reuters")
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said on Saturday that the potential project to supply Turkey with Eurofighter jets is being spearheaded by Britain and is still in its early stages.
”It is something that will continue to develop, but is now being driven forward from there (Britain),” he said when asked about potential movement on the issue at a press conference in Istanbul with Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan.
Ankara had expressed interest last year in purchasing Eurofighter Typhoons from Britain and Spain, but faced objections from Germany. Since then, Turkey has voiced frustration over the lack of progress, with President Erdogan hinting at Berlin’s hesitation.
”We wish to leave behind some of the difficulties experienced in the past in the supply of defence industry products and develop our cooperation,” Erdogan told reporters.
On Thursday a Turkish defence ministry official said Turkey had been conducting technical work aimed at accelerating its planned purchase of the jets.
The Eurofighter Typhoon jets are built by a consortium of Germany, Britain, Italy and Spain, represented by companies Airbus, BAE Systems and Leonardo.