Germany has banned the delivery of about 30 Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jets to Turkey, citing the arrest of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, who is considered a key figure in the Turkish opposition, the German business newspaper Handelsblatt reported, citing informed sources. Imamoglu, a potential rival to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in the upcoming elections, was detained on March 23, 2025, on corruption charges. His arrest sparked mass protests across Turkey, the largest since 2013, and sharp criticism from the international community. German authorities called Ankara's actions "an attack on Turkish democracy," which became the basis for suspending the deal to deliver the fighter jets.

Berlin's decision threatens Turkey's plans to modernise its air force, which included buying 40 Eurofighter Typhoon fighters, including 20 Tranche 1s from the UK and 20 more advanced Tranche 4s. The deal, which had been discussed since 2022, was meant to bolster Turkey's air force, especially after Ankara was kicked out of the F-35 programme over its purchase of Russian S-400 air defence systems. The German veto, backed by a coalition of the Social Democratic Party (SPD) and the Greens, reflects growing distrust of Erdogan, who critics say is using the judiciary to suppress opposition.

The decision has caused a split within Germany. The Christian Democratic Union (CDU), led by Friedrich Merz, is in favor of the delivery of the planes, seeing the deal as leverage on Erdogan to release Imamoglu. Meanwhile, the SPD insists on a hard line, linking arms exports to democratic standards. According to Handelsblatt, Berlin has also offered Turkey participation in the European Sky Shield missile defense initiative as an alternative to ease tensions in relations.

The arrest of Imamoglu, who the opposition calls “politically motivated,” has exacerbated Turkey’s domestic crisis. The Istanbul mayor went on trial on April 11 on charges of corruption and attempting to intimidate the city’s top prosecutor, which could see him jailed for up to seven years, the BBC reported. His supporters say the case is trumped up to eliminate Erdogan’s main rival ahead of the election. The protests, which have seen some 2000 people arrested, have increased international pressure on Ankara.

According to Reuters, Turkey is continuing talks with the UK, which has already approved the delivery of 20 Tranche 1 aircraft, but without the consent of Germany, one of four members of the Eurofighter consortium (along with the UK, Italy and Spain), the deal cannot be completed. The Turkish Defense Ministry expressed disappointment, saying the block was “not in line with the spirit of NATO.” Ankara is also hoping for a change in the US position on returning to the F-35 program, especially after Donald Trump came to power, although there is no sign yet of Turkey abandoning the S-400.