Turkey Secures $10.66 Billion Deal for 20 Eurofighter Jets

Turkey has finalized a significant agreement with the United Kingdom to acquire 20 Eurofighter Typhoon jets for $10.66 billion. This deal, described by the UK Prime Minister’s office as “the biggest fighter jet exports deal in a generation,” was announced following a meeting between British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in Ankara.

During his first visit to Turkey, Starmer underscored the importance of the agreement, stating that it represents a win for British workers, the defence industry, and NATO security. He emphasized the role both nations play in addressing contemporary challenges and enhancing their military collaboration to deter threats and protect national interests.

Details of the Agreement

The deal formalizes a previous Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed in July 2024 at the International Defense Industry Fair in Istanbul, which outlined plans for a total of 40 Eurofighter jets. Negotiations for this agreement have spanned over two years, with delays largely attributed to concerns from Germany, a member of the Eurofighter consortium, regarding human rights and political tensions between the NATO allies. Turkish Defence Minister Yaşar Güler stated that Germany had indicated it would allow the sale to proceed.

The Eurofighter Typhoon is a collaborative project involving partners such as Airbus, BAE Systems, and Leonardo, with contributions from Italy, Spain, and the UK. The UK government has noted that this sale not only boosts the British aerospace sector but also preserves the production line at Warton, representing the largest fighter jet deal in nearly two decades.

Strategic Implications and Future Prospects

The agreement is anticipated to enhance Turkey’s advanced combat capabilities while strengthening NATO’s presence in a strategically critical region. The UK government commented that this partnership would improve interoperability between the air forces of both nations.

In a statement, the Eurofighter consortium welcomed Turkey as a “partner nation,” marking its entry as the tenth country to operate the Typhoon. Recent orders from Germany, Spain, and Italy further solidify the Eurofighter programme’s role as a cornerstone of European air defence.

This announcement follows President Erdoğan’s recent tour of Arabian Gulf countries, where he indicated ongoing negotiations to procure used Eurofighter Typhoon jets from Oman and Qatar. Turkey is actively seeking to bolster its air force capabilities as it awaits the operational readiness of its domestically developed fifth-generation KAAN fighter jet. This strategic move includes plans to equip the fleet with either locally produced engines or those that power the F-16 fighter.

The Eurofighter deal not only signifies a major defence procurement effort for Turkey but also reflects the evolving dynamics of military cooperation within NATO, emphasizing the importance of alliances in addressing global security challenges.