UK begins training Turkish Eurofighter pilots ahead of Typhoon deliveries

Turkish Air Force pilots will begin Eurofighter Typhoon flight training in the UK next week. This marks the first practical phase of the support and training package underpinning Ankara’s acquisition of 20 aircraft.

The Turkish Ministry of National Defense said pilot training started in August, with flight training due to begin on 7 September. The flying course will run for eight months before trainees progress to instructor training.

The Turkish news outlet, Bengü Türk, reported details from the weekly press briefing statement about the country’s Eurofighter Typhoon programme.

In the update, the Turkish Ministry confirmed that procurement of the Eurofighter Typhoon from the UK is continuing to meet the operational requirements of the Turkish Air Force.

During the question-and-answer session, officials confirmed that Turkish pilot training on the aircraft began in August 2026, adding, “After completing terminology instruction, Turkish pilots are scheduled to begin flight training on 7 September 2026.”

How long is the Eurofighter Typhoon flight training?

The flight training course is to last eight months, and this is to be followed by three more months of instructor pilot training. More pilot groups are to be sent for successive intakes.

The question-and-answer session did not reveal more about the schedule or how many pilots are taking part in the first induction.

Turkey gearing up for ex-Gulf Eurofighters

Turkey signed an agreement to purchase 20 new-build Eurofighter Typhoons from the UK in 2025 with the option for another 20. Additionally, it is in talks with Qatar and Oman to purchase used Eurofighter Typhoons to help fill an immediate gap in its air defence.

Some reports indicate that it expects to receive around 12 used jets from Qatar’s inventory and another 12 from Omani inventory.

In October 2025, Reuters reported, “The deal between NATO allies Turkey and Britain aims to deepen their ties and bolster Turkish air defences. Ankara has said it was also seeking to procure 24 more jets, albeit lightly used, from Qatar and Oman.”

It is unclear if these Turkish pilots now in training would initially fly former Omani and Qatari jets. These are Tranche 3 jets.

This would give Turkey a fleet of around 44 Eurofighters, although there are reports by Defence Turkey that it is seeking to expand this to 56, perhaps with another dozen from Qatar.

Delivery timetable for Turkey’s Eurofighters

The first batch of six new-built British Eurofighters is expected in 2030, and production of these has started. Another eight are scheduled to be delivered in 2031 and six in 2032.

BAE Systems reports, “Final assembly of Turkish jets will take place at Warton, Lancashire. The programme sustains more than 20,000 jobs throughout the UK economy.”

There have been unconfirmed reports that the first ex-Gulf State Eurofighters could be delivered in 2026, but that is unconfirmed and reflects reporting before the outbreak of war with Iran in 2026.