The first Turkish Air Force pilots have started Eurofighter Typhoon conversion training with the Royal Air Force at RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire. Two combat pilots have joined 29 Squadron, beginning a programme linked to Türkiye’s Typhoon acquisition that will prepare crews well before the first aircraft deliveries, due in 2030.
The training is expected to include an initial period focused on Typhoon systems and UK military airspace procedures before the pilots move on to flying sorties. After completing conversion training, they are due to remain with 29 Squadron as instructors until Türkiye receives its first Typhoons from BAE Systems. The wider UK–Türkiye package covers aircraft, support and training, with the arrangement also designed to build a longer-term Turkish Typhoon training base at home. The programme is now moving from procurement into operational preparation, with the first Turkish pilots already embedded in the RAF training pipeline.