UK, Turkey seal multi-billion Typhoon deal, deepening NATO air power ties

LONDON –  Britain and Turkey on Wednesday signed a multi-billion-pound agreement for a major new training and support contract as part of  its 8-billion-pound ($10.73 billion) Typhoon fighter jet deal the two countries concluded last year.

The  new contract covers UK-based training for  Turkish pilots and ground crew as Turkey moves towards operating its first batch of British-built jets, Britain’s Ministry of Defence said in a statement.

Defence firms including BAE Systems, Leonardo UK, MBDA, Rolls-Royce and Martin-Baker will supply components and  training equipment.

Defence Secretary John Healey and Turkish Defence Minister Yasar Guler signed the agreement in London, which the British government said marked the next phase of  Turkey’s entry into the Eurofighter programme and reinforcing NATO’s combat air capability on its eastern flank.

“This partnership does not just export world-leading British-built jets, it builds alliances, grows our economy and makes NATO stronger,” Healey said in a statement, adding that Turkey’s decision to acquire the jets was “a vote of confidence in British industry and British jobs.”

Simon Barnes, group managing director of BAE Systems’ air sector, said the agreement would deepen cooperation between the two countries.

“We’re proud to support the UK’s partnership with Turkey by delivering a trusted defence capability that deepens collaboration and reinforces shared security commitments,” Barnes said.

"Turkey's acquisition of Typhoon strengthens this partnership and enhances the country’s advanced combat air capabilities,” he added, saying the company was “delighted to play a key role” in preparing Turkish forces to operate the aircraft.

Ankara has been seeking to modernise its air force since it was removed from the US-led F-35 programme in 2019 over its purchase of Russia’s S-400 missile system.

Negotiations with London gained momentum after Germany lifted its veto on the Eurofighter sale in mid-2025, clearing the way for the agreement.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan called the deal “a new symbol of the strategic relations” between Ankara and London and thanked the Eurofighter consortium partners , Germany, Italy and Spain, for their support.