Turkey and the United Kingdom have finalized a multibillion-pound agreement for the purchase of 20 EF-2000 Eurofighter Typhoon jets, announced during British Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s official visit to Ankara on Monday.
According to a statement released by the U.K. government, the contract—valued at up to £8 billion (around $10.7 billion USD)—marks the largest British defense export in decades and represents the first new Typhoon order since 2017. The deal is expected to safeguard approximately 20,000 jobs across the U.K., with initial aircraft deliveries scheduled for 2030.
Under the terms of the agreement, BAE Systems will be responsible for producing key airframe components, completing final assembly, and overseeing weapons integration at its Lancashire facilities. The project will also provide opportunities for hundreds of firms within the U.K. defense supply network. Most of the weapons systems will be supplied by MBDA.
This acquisition will make Turkey the tenth nation to operate the Eurofighter Typhoon, reaffirming the jet’s continued prominence in global air defense. The package includes MBDA’s Meteor beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile. BAE Systems expects to earn roughly £4.6 billion in revenue from the project, factoring in its ownership stake in MBDA.
Following talks between President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Prime Minister Starmer at the Presidential Complex, Turkish Defence Minister Yaşar Güler revealed that Turkey also intends to purchase an additional 12 Typhoons each from Qatar and Oman. Deliveries from Qatar are anticipated to begin early next year.
During Starmer’s visit, three Royal Air Force Typhoons flew into Turkish airspace, where they were escorted by Turkish F-16s to the Ankara Mürted Air Base Command. Starmer and U.K. Defence Secretary John Healey met with RAF pilots stationed there in front of one of the jets.
“At opposite ends of Europe, the United Kingdom and Turkey play crucial roles in addressing today’s global challenges. This partnership will bring our armed forces even closer together,” Starmer said.
Turkey’s procurement of the new Eurofighters is designed to strengthen its air fleet and serve as an interim capability until the homegrown Kaan fighter jet becomes operational.
