Turkish pilots begin Eurofighter Typhoon training in UK

Two experienced combat pilots from the Turkish Air Force have arrived at RAF Coningsby in the United Kingdom to begin conversion training on the Eurofighter Typhoon. This marks an operational milestone in a defense agreement valued at over £8 billion for the acquisition of 20 aircraft, weaponry, support, and training.

The pilots will join 29 Squadron, the Royal Air Force's operational conversion unit. The training program is expected to last up to nine months, followed by an additional three months of instructor training. Upon completion, the pilots will remain with the British unit as instructors until Turkey receives its first new aircraft, which is not expected until 2030.

This initial phase is part of a broader program that includes training for approximately ten pilots and nearly one hundred maintenance technicians specializing in mechanics, avionics, and mission systems. The agreement is intended to enhance Turkey's aerial combat capabilities and strengthen cooperation between the two NATO air forces.