Turkish air force instructor pilots start Eurofighter conversion training in UK

Two Turkish air force pilots have begun conversion training on the Eurofighter Typhoon with the Royal Air Force in the United Kingdom, the RAF said on 14 September. The service called them experienced combat air pilots. They are the first of a planned group of 10 Turkish instructor pilots.

The pair train at 29 Squadron, an operational conversion unit at Coningsby in Lincolnshire. Their conversion course will take up to nine months, the RAF said, with follow-on instructor training adding three months more. After graduating, the pilots will stay with 29 Squadron as instructors until Turkey takes delivery of its first Eurofighter.

The arrangement falls under a procurement announced last year worth roughly £8 billion, or about $10.8 billion, covering a weapons package and in-service support as well. Turkey plans a fleet of 20 of the multi-role aircraft from 2030.

Final assembly of the Turkish jets will be at BAE Systems' Warton site in Lancashire. The airframer has also set out a related package: the RAF will train 10 Turkish instructor pilots and close to 100 maintenance personnel.