Turkey, UK Seal £8 Billion Deal For 20 Eurofighter Jets
Turkey and the United Kingdom have signed a defence agreement worth £8 billion (about US $10.7 billion) for the supply of 20 Eurofighter Typhoon jets. The deal was finalised during UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s visit to Ankara, where he held talks with President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
Strategic Significance
The agreement marks the first fresh order for Eurofighter Typhoons since 2017, making it a major export boost for the UK defence industry. For Turkey, the purchase strengthens its air capabilities while supporting NATO defence cooperation. The deal is also expected to safeguard production jobs in the UK and highlight Europe’s role in collective defence amid ongoing regional conflicts.
Broader Implications
Turkey is also exploring the possibility of purchasing used Typhoons from Qatar and Oman as part of a long-term plan to acquire up to 40 aircraft. Alongside this, Ankara continues to pursue re-entry into the U.S.-led F-35 programme and push forward with its domestic fighter jet project, KAAN. Analysts see the deal as a signal of Turkey’s strategy to diversify defence procurement while leveraging its role as a NATO member straddling Europe and Asia.
