UK and Türkiye Seal £8 Billion Defence Pact for Typhoon Fighter Jets
The United Kingdom and Türkiye have formalised a major defence export deal, with Ankara agreeing to purchase 20 Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jets in an agreement valued at up to £8 billion.
The landmark pact, described by London as the biggest fighter jet export deal in a generation, was struck in Ankara on Monday during UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer’s first official visit to the Turkish capital.
The deal, finalised after months of negotiations and the lifting of key vetoes by other Eurofighter consortium members, is heralded as a significant boost to the UK’s aerospace industry, a strengthening of NATO’s southern flank, and a new chapter in UK-Turkish strategic relations.
A Strategic Acquisition for Ankara
The agreement, signed in the presence of Prime Minister Starmer and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, will see Türkiye become the tenth operator of the advanced multi-role combat aircraft.
Deal Details and Economic Impact
The comprehensive package is valued at up to £8 billion and includes the 20 new build Typhoon aircraft, an associated weapons and integration package (primarily featuring MBDA missiles like the advanced Meteor), and ongoing support and training services.
Crucially for the UK, the deal is expected to secure more than 20,000 highly skilled jobs across the UK supply chain, extending the Typhoon production line at BAE Systems sites in Warton and Samlesbury, as well as facilities in Bristol and Edinburgh, well into the next decade.
Prime Minister Starmer hailed the agreement, stating: “This landmark agreement with Türkiye is a win for British workers, a win for our defence industry, and a win for NATO security.”
Modernising the Turkish Air Force
For Türkiye, the purchase is a critical step in the modernisation of its Air Force. The Typhoon acquisition is intended to provide an immediate combat capability upgrade as Ankara works to replace its aging F-4 and older-model F-16 fleets, while also progressing with the development of its indigenous fifth-generation fighter, the KAAN.
In addition to the 20 new Typhoons, reports indicate that Türkiye is negotiating the acquisition of a further 24 used Typhoon jets from Qatar and Oman, bringing the potential total fleet size to 44 aircraft.
Bolstering NATO’s Southern Flank
Both London and Ankara were keen to frame the deal in the context of Alliance security, particularly given Türkiye’s strategic position as the “gatekeeper to the Black Sea.”
Interoperability and Deterrence
Defence Secretary John Healey, who accompanied the Prime Minister, underscored the geopolitical importance of the sale. “Türkiye is an important NATO ally… By equipping them with top-of-the-range Typhoon fighter jets, this deal will strengthen NATO deterrence and help make us all safer,” he said.
The move is seen by analysts as reinforcing Western defence-industrial ties with Ankara at a time when global security challenges are intensifying across Eastern Europe and the Middle East. Increased interoperability between the UK and Turkish air forces is expected to enhance the Alliance’s overall readiness and rapid response capabilities.
A New Chapter in Bilateral Ties
The defence agreement is viewed by both nations as the start of a broader push to strengthen the bilateral relationship. During their meeting, President Erdoğan and Prime Minister Starmer also discussed cooperation on trade, migration, and counter-terrorism.
President Erdoğan described the Typhoon pact as a “new symbol of the strategic relationship between us as two close allies.”
Headline Points: The Defence Export Breakthrough
• £8 Billion Value: The deal is worth up to £8 billion for 20 new Eurofighter Typhoon jets and associated weapons packages.
• UK Jobs Secured: The agreement is projected to sustain over 20,000 highly skilled British jobs across the aerospace supply chain, including in Lancashire, Bristol, and Edinburgh.
• NATO Enhancement: Both governments stressed that the sale significantly strengthens NATO’s air defence and interoperability, particularly on the Alliance’s southeastern flank.
• First New Order Since 2017: This is the first new export order for UK-built Typhoons since 2017 and is hailed as the largest fighter jet export in almost two decades.
• Fleet Modernisation: The Typhoons will provide a crucial capability boost for the Turkish Air Force as it modernises its fighter fleet.
