Turkey and the United Kingdom have signed a major defence agreement for the purchase of 20 Eurofighter Typhoon multirole combat aircraft, marking one of the most significant deals in the history of the programme. The contract, worth up to 8 billion pounds (around 10.7 billion US dollars), was concluded on 27 October 2025 during the official visit to Ankara by British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who attended the signing ceremony together with President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
The agreement represents a turning point both for Turkey’s air-force modernisation efforts and for the Eurofighter consortium, which had not secured a major new export order in several years. Production and assembly will be managed by BAE Systems in the United Kingdom, and the first aircraft are expected to be delivered around 2030. According to British and Turkish officials, the deal also includes training, spare parts and weapons packages, bringing the total value to levels rarely seen in recent years for a fighter-jet sale.
For Ankara, the purchase is part of a broader effort to strengthen its air-defence capabilities while waiting for the full operational deployment of the domestic fifth-generation fighter TAI Kaan. The Typhoons will therefore serve as an interim but highly capable solution, allowing the Turkish Air Force to maintain its combat readiness in an increasingly volatile regional environment. Turkish sources have also indicated that the government is evaluating the possible acquisition of additional used Typhoon jets from partner countries such as Qatar and Oman, which would further expand its fleet in the short term.
For London, this is the largest fighter-jet export deal in a generation and a major success for the domestic defence industry. The sale is expected to support thousands of jobs and secure the future of the production line in Warton for several more years. The British government has underlined the strategic significance of the agreement, pointing out that both the UK and Turkey are NATO members and that the deal reinforces cooperation along the alliance’s south-eastern flank.
However, the decision has not been without controversy. Some analysts have criticised the high price tag, suggesting that the 8 billion pound figure may include generous offsets and additional costs beyond the airframes themselves. Human-rights groups have also questioned the British government’s willingness to finalise such an agreement with Turkey despite ongoing concerns about democratic backsliding and political repression.
From a military standpoint, the Typhoon acquisition will significantly enhance Turkey’s capabilities. The aircraft, equipped with advanced radar and electronic-warfare systems, will allow the Turkish Air Force to conduct a wide range of missions, from air-superiority to precision strikes, with interoperability across NATO assets. The deal also symbolises a shift in Turkey’s defence partnerships, re-anchoring part of its procurement strategy within Europe after years of tension with Western suppliers.
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