Starmer signs £8bn deal to supply Turkey with Typhoon fighter jets

Britain signed an agreement worth £8 billion to supply 20 Typhoon fighter jets to Türkiye.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, who went to Ankara on Monday to sign the agreement, described it as “a win for British workers, a win for our defense industry and a win for NATO security”.

The government said it was the biggest fighter jet export deal in almost two decades and would support thousands of jobs across the UK in the coming years.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan hailed the agreement as “a new symbol of strategic relations” with Britain.

Announcing the deal at a press conference in the Turkish capital, Sir Keir described it as a “landmark moment”.

He said the procurement of 20 Typhoon fighter jets would “improve security across NATO, deepen our bilateral defense cooperation and boost economic growth” in both the UK and Türkiye.

“I am proud that British Typhoons will form a vital part of the Turkish air force for many years to come as we defend NATO’s south-eastern flank for the good of us all,” he added.

Eurofighter jets are being produced jointly by the UK, Germany, Italy and Spain, and the deal was subject to approval by other members of the consortium.

Around 37% of production for each jet takes place in the UK, including final assembly at BAE Systems in Warton and Samlesbury in Lancashire.

The government said the deal would support 6,000 jobs at two UAE factories, 1,100 in south-west England, including the Rolls-Royce factory in Bristol, and 800 in Scotland.

This is UK Typhoons’ first new order since 2017.

Describing the deal as the “biggest jet export deal in a generation”, Defense Secretary John Healey said it would “push billions of pounds into our economy and keep British Typhoon production lines rolling long into the future”.

BAE Systems managing director Charles Woodburn said the acquisition “marks the start of a new chapter in our long-standing relationship with this important NATO ally” and underlines “how defense investment can drive significant economic growth and returns across the UK”.

The deal is the result of long-running negotiations, with the UK and Türkiye signing a pre-purchase agreement for 40 Typhoons in July.

On Monday Sir Keir said 20 would be supplied to Türkiye “with the option to supply more in the future”.

Delivery of the first jets is expected in 2030.