UK and Türkiye Finalize £8 Billion Typhoon Fighter Jet Deal
28 October 2025 — London/Ankara.
In a landmark agreement underscoring the deepening defence partnership between the United Kingdom and Türkiye, the UK government has confirmed the export of 20 Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft to Ankara in a deal worth approximately £8 billion.
The contract, signed during Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s visit to Ankara, includes a comprehensive weapons and integration package and is expected to sustain over 20,000 highly skilled jobs across the UK’s aerospace and defence sectors — particularly in Lancashire, Bristol, and Edinburgh.
Under the agreement, BAE Systems will oversee final assembly and major airframe components at its Lancashire facilities, while MBDA will provide the majority of the weapons package, including the Meteor beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile.
With this acquisition, Türkiye becomes the 10th nation to operate the Typhoon, joining an elite group of air forces across Europe and the Middle East that rely on the aircraft’s advanced air defence and multirole combat capabilities.
Charles Woodburn, Chief Executive of BAE Systems, said:
“The Typhoon is an export success story, demonstrating how investment in defence fuels economic growth and preserves sovereign engineering skills that underpin the UK’s national security.”
The deal follows Germany’s decision to lift its veto on Eurofighter sales to Türkiye earlier this year, clearing the path for Ankara’s procurement.
UK Defence Secretary Grant Shapps hailed the agreement as “a new chapter” in bilateral defence cooperation, adding that it “reinforces the Typhoon’s role as a cornerstone of NATO’s air power and European security.”
The Typhoon programme — a collaborative effort between Britain, Germany, Italy, and Spain through Airbus, BAE Systems, and Leonardo — will now see its production extended well into the 2030s, safeguarding critical engineering and manufacturing expertise in the UK.
As geopolitical tensions continue to reshape global defence priorities, the UK–Türkiye Typhoon deal stands as a testament to the enduring strength of strategic alliances and Europe’s commitment to maintaining advanced air combat capabilities.
