The United Kingdom and Türkiye have finalized an £8 billion defense deal for the purchase of 20 Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jets, marking a major step in Türkiye’s air power modernization and reinforcing NATO’s southern air defenses. The first deliveries are scheduled for 2030.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer visited Ankara on 27 October for high-level defense talks with President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and senior Turkish officials. During his visit to TUSAŞ facilities, Starmer received a detailed briefing on Türkiye’s indigenous KAAN fighter project. The trip coincided with the arrival of three RAF Eurofighter Typhoons in Türkiye ahead of the official signing.
According to a statement released by the UK Government, the £8 billion agreement secures around 20,000 jobs in the UK with a 37% domestic workshare, highlighting production hubs in Edinburgh, Warton, Samlesbury, and Bristol. The deal represents Britain’s largest fighter jet export in nearly two decades.
The Eurofighter Typhoon—developed jointly by the UK, Germany, Italy, and Spain—is a twin-engine, multi-role fighter capable of both air superiority and deep-strike missions. The latest Tranche 3A and Tranche 4 variants feature Captor-E AESA radar systems, enhanced mission computers, and expanded weapons integration.
For the Turkish Air Force, the Typhoon will provide a highly reliable platform with advanced electronic warfare systems and full NATO interoperability, bridging the capability gap until the domestically produced KAAN achieves operational status, projected around 2028.
Analysts note that this partnership not only strengthens NATO’s southern flank but also deepens industrial and strategic cooperation between Ankara and London. The acquisition ensures Türkiye maintains a robust deterrent posture while its next-generation fighter program continues development.
