Keir Starmer has finalized a significant £8 billion agreement with Turkey to purchase UK Typhoon fighter jets. The deal was sealed during the Prime Minister’s visit to Ankara for discussions with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. This contract, valued at billions of pounds for 20 UK Typhoon jets, marks the first new order of these aircraft since 2017, with the initial deliveries scheduled for 2030.
The agreement, announced by No10, is expected to create 20,000 jobs in the UK and enhance NATO security measures. Mr. Starmer expressed his satisfaction with the deal, emphasizing its benefits for British workers, the defense industry, and NATO security. Highlighting the strategic importance of the UK-Turkey partnership in addressing global challenges, he noted that the collaboration would enable closer cooperation between the Armed Forces of both nations in safeguarding national interests and deterring threats.
The recent deal signifies the culmination of extensive negotiations, as Ankara had been expressing interest in procuring Typhoon jets since 2023. In a significant step towards finalizing the export agreement, Defense Secretary John Healey signed a memorandum of understanding with his Turkish counterpart in July. The Typhoon jets, also known as Eurofighters, are a collaborative effort among the UK, Germany, Spain, and Italy.
Mr. Healey, who accompanied the Prime Minister on the visit, hailed the deal as a major achievement for the UK, constituting the most significant jet exports deal in a generation. He emphasized the economic benefits of the agreement, stating that it would inject billions into the British economy and sustain Typhoon production in the long term. Beyond aircraft procurement, he underlined the deal’s broader implications for enhancing defense and industrial ties between the two nations.
Underlining Turkey’s role as a crucial NATO ally and guardian of the Black Sea, Mr. Healey highlighted that providing top-of-the-line Typhoon fighter jets would fortify NATO’s deterrence capabilities, contributing to overall security. He expressed the government’s commitment to leveraging defense as a growth driver across the UK, emphasizing the importance of the UK-Turkey partnership in advancing mutual security goals.