London, October 28 - In a landmark move for UK defense exports, Britain has signed an £8 billion deal to supply Turkey with 20 advanced Typhoon fighter jets, marking the largest fighter jet agreement in nearly two decades and injecting vital economic momentum into the nation's aerospace sector. Sealed during Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer's inaugural visit to Ankara, the pact with President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan underscores deepening NATO ties amid escalating global tensions. The Eurofighter Typhoon, a multi-role combat aircraft renowned for its supersonic speed, agility, and precision weaponry, will bolster Turkey's air defense capabilities while safeguarding around 20,000 British jobs across key production hubs. As the backbone of the Royal Air Force's fleet, these jets have proven indispensable in operations from NATO air policing to counter-terrorism strikes in the Middle East, now extending their legacy through this high-stakes export.
The agreement, hailed by Defense Secretary John Healey as "the biggest jet exports deal in a generation," promises to sustain production lines at BAE Systems facilities in Warton, Samlesbury, Bristol, and Edinburgh for years ahead. With the UK contributing 37 percent of each Typhoon's build through the Eurofighter consortium, alongside partners Germany, Italy, and Spain, this deal revives a vital supply chain and drives innovation in radar systems and avionics. BAE Systems chief executive Charles Woodburn described it as "a new chapter in our longstanding relationship with this important NATO ally," emphasizing how such investments fuel economic growth and technological edge. For Turkey, diversifying beyond U.S.-sourced aircraft, the Typhoons represent a strategic leap, enhancing interoperability with allied forces and projecting power in the volatile Black Sea region.
Beyond economics, the Typhoon fighter jet deal signals a robust message of NATO unity to adversaries like Russia, as Starmer noted during a press conference at Ankara's presidential palace. "Having that capability locked in with the United Kingdom is really important for NATO," he affirmed, framing the export as a deterrent against threats from the Black Sea to the Mediterranean. Deliveries are slated to commence in 2030, with options for additional jets, building on a July memorandum that cleared hurdles from consortium members. This follows Turkey's long pursuit of the platform since 2023, positioning it as a counterweight to regional rivals and a gateway for enhanced UK-Turkey military collaboration, including joint exercises and intelligence sharing.
Yet, the £8bn Typhoon pact arrives amid scrutiny over Turkey's human rights record, with critics questioning arms sales to a nation facing accusations of suppressing opposition figures. Starmer's administration defends the move as essential for alliance cohesion, echoing past approvals for exports to allies like Saudi Arabia after navigating ethical concerns. As the jets' cutting-edge AESA radars and beyond-visual-range missiles empower Turkey's arsenal, the deal reaffirms the UK's role as a premier exporter of fighter jets, blending strategic security with industrial revival in an era of geopolitical flux.
