There are a few aspects to consider with eurofighter deal.
1. MMU has still a good while to start making deliveries. If first deliveries are made about 2030 it will still take a couple years to deliver initial batch. Then I imagine there would be some time before the next block starts serial production and ends deliveries. I think at this point we are talking 2035-2040 for 100+ TFX, if we take the 24 planes a year calculation from Temel Kotil. Even if we modernise all F16s that we have, without new ones delivered, and F4s retired, some of our F16s will be stretched thin and age even faster. If our fighter fleet drops below 200s that wouldn’t be nice. So one way or another, even if its costly, injection of new platforms that excel in air to air capabilities is very important. Since drones help with A2G capabilities significantly, we should’t worry much about that. But don’t forget eurofighters and f16s will still have to last into 2040s because we won’t have 300 TFX to replace entire fleet before then with even the most optimistic estimates.
2. We still want to be part of international projects and have alternatives, as well as keep good relations with other states and give them incentive to keep their relations positive with us. This is also important for keeping up with technology and methods used by other countries.
3. However, we still don’t know if other members of eurofighter consortium will not present us with embargoes about munitions and spare parts if they authorise the initial sale at all.
4. Eurofighters and F16 use different aerial refueling methods. Will we also have to buy new refueling planes? Will we even be sold any?
5. As far as money is concerned, I think we are willing to buy any acceptable plane even if it is very costly, because it is very critical for us, even if sacrifices must be made. So much is wasted on things we don’t need, I’m sure we can come up with the money for such a vital issue.