Türkiye Officially Signs Contract For 20 Eurofighter Typhoons
The Republic of Türkiye has officially signed a contract with the United Kingdom for the purchase of 20 Eurofighter Typhoons, with the £8 billion (approximately $10.6 billion) deal signed on Monday by Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Sir Keir Starmer and Turkish President Recep Erdogan during the start of Starmer’s first visit to Ankara.
According to the government of the United Kingdom, the first Typhoon to be built by BAE Systems for Türkiye will be delivered in 2030, with the contract allowing manufacturing at BAE’s various Typhoon production facilities to continue through the 2030s. Downing Street says the deal will “sustain” 20,000 jobs across the UK.
Following the contract signing, Prime Minister Starmer said:
“This landmark agreement with Türkiye is a win for British workers, a win for our defence industry, and a win for NATO security.
At either ends of Europe, the UK and Türkiye are vital to tackling the challenges of our time and this will allow our Armed Forces to work even closer together as we deter threats and protect our national interests.
Delivering highly skilled, well-paid jobs, including in Warton, Edinburgh and Bristol for years to come, this is yet another example of our Plan for Change in action, driving renewal and opportunity up and down the country.”
“Türkiye is an important NATO ally and the gatekeeper to the Black Sea. By equipping them with top-of-the-range Typhoon fighter jets, this deal will strengthen NATO deterrence and help make us all safer,” said Defence Secretary John Healey, who was also in Ankara. “I’m determined this government will make defence an engine for growth across the UK.”
“Typhoon is an export success story and demonstrates how investment in defence can fuel significant economic growth and returns across the UK,” said BAE Systems Chief Executive, Charles Woodburn. “Today’s announcement extends Typhoon production and preserves crucial sovereign skills which underpin the UK’s defence and security”.
Türkiye will be the tenth operator of the Typhoon once it enters service. Both BAE Systems and its workers have pushed for export sales of the Typhoon in recent months, in order to keep UK production facilities active until production on the various components of the Global Combat Air Programme begin in the 2030s.