Lapid: Türkiye possesses most powerful naval fleet in Middle East

Türkiye already possesses the largest and most powerful naval fleet in the Middle East and now appears to be seeking air parity with Israel, opposition leader Yair Lapid warned, criticising the Israeli government for what he described as a strategic failure to stop a major European arms deal with Ankara.

Lapid accused Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s administration of being “strategically blind” and “diplomatically ineffective” following reports that Germany and the UK are in advanced negotiations to sell Eurofighter Typhoon 4.5 generation fighter jets to Türkiye, Caliber.Az reports per Turkish media. 

He argued that a competent Israeli government would have acted to prevent the deal, saying such an agreement should have been blocked through diplomatic channels long ago.

According to Lapid, "the government's failure to respond reflects deep dysfunction and neglect of Israel’s long-term strategic interests." He described the Eurofighter deal as a "dangerous development," asserting that it would allow Türkiye to significantly boost its military capabilities and further solidify its position as a dominant regional power.

If concluded, the Eurofighter agreement would mark a major step in Türkiye’s efforts to modernise its air force and strengthen its regional deterrence.

The Typhoon, one of NATO’s most advanced multi-role combat aircraft, is capable of conducting both air-to-air and air-to-ground missions with high efficiency. It represents a significant upgrade for Türkiye, particularly in the wake of its removal from the US-led F-35 program following its purchase of the Russian-made S-400 air defence system.

Ankara has since pivoted toward increasing domestic defence production and deepening military ties with European partners. The Eurofighter deal fits into this broader strategy, offering Türkiye both technological advancement and renewed engagement with NATO-aligned suppliers.

The agreement, which is still under discussion, may be formally announced during the Defense Industry Fair in Istanbul scheduled for July 22–27, 2025. In addition, the Wall Street Journal reported that the UK is preparing to sign a technical memorandum of understanding with Türkiye by the end of the year, laying the groundwork for testing and inspection protocols.

By Sabina Mammadli