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Türkiye signed a deal to purchase 20 Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jets from the United Kingdom as part of a broader plan to eventually operate a total fleet of 44 aircraft, with an additional 12 each from Qatar and Oman.
Turkish Defense Minister Yasar Guler announced on Monday the acquisition of 44 Eurofighter Typhoon fighters, stating that 20 aircraft will be purchased from the United Kingdom.
Guler said that Qatar and Oman will each provide 12 aircraft to Türkiye.
The Defense Minister indicated that the aircraft from Qatar could arrive at the beginning of the new year.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said Türkiye purchased 20 Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jets for approximately $10.7 billion.
With this acquisition, Türkiye will receive a comprehensive weapons package that includes the METEOR beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile (BVRAAM).
The agreement was signed following bilateral and delegation meetings at the Presidential Palace between President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Prime Minister Starmer. Attending the meeting were the U.K. Defense Secretary John Healey and the U.K. Royal Air Force Commander General Harv Smyth.
The Eurofighter Typhoon is an advanced fighter aircraft developed through multinational collaboration between the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, and Spain.
Designed as a 4.5-generation multi-role combat aircraft, the Eurofighter performs superior in both air-to-air and air-to-ground missions.
The aircraft features twin engines and a delta wing design. The Eurofighter reaches speeds of approximately 2,495 kilometers per hour. High thrust ratio and advanced flight control systems provide a significant advantage against adversaries in combat operations.
The Eurofighter carries advanced radar systems, electronic warfare equipment, and sensor fusion technology. These systems enable pilots to monitor air and ground elements in their operational area simultaneously.
The aircraft can carry air-to-air missiles, including METEOR and AMRAAM, as well as smart munitions such as Storm Shadow and Brimstone. The aircraft's AESA radar will be compatible with Turkish domestically designed and developed munitions.
This European jointly produced platform can carry nine tons of munitions on 13 external weapons stations. The aircraft plays a key role in NATO air power operations.
The agreement includes various financial figures reflecting the full scope of the acquisition. Prime Minister Starmer announced an £8 billion package representing the upper limit of total package costs paid by Türkiye.
This amount encompasses not only 20 aircraft sales but also METEOR missiles produced by MBDA, pilot training, spare parts, and all integration services.
BAE Systems announced a total deal value of £5.4 billion ($7.2 billion). The company expects to receive approximately £4.6 billion in revenue, including income through its holdings in MBDA.
The £4.6 billion figure represents only the portion due to BAE Systems, the primary manufacturer, from the total £8 billion budget.
The UK government called the agreement the largest fighter jet export deal in a generation. The deal will sustain a 20,000-strong UK workforce with production lines in Edinburgh, Warton, Samlesbury, and Bristol.
Prime Minister Starmer stated at a joint news conference with President Erdogan, "This landmark agreement with Türkiye is a win for British workers, a win for our defense industry, and a win for NATO security."
Starmer emphasized that the agreement will deepen and strengthen NATO security while enhancing bilateral defense industry cooperation. "At either end 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," Starmer said.
UK Defense Secretary John Healey said, "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."
President Erdogan stated regarding the Eurofighter Typhoon acquisition: "We have just signed a cooperation statement on this matter with Prime Minister Starmer in your presence. I view this agreement as a new sign of the strategic relationship between us as close allies."
"I thank Prime Minister Starmer and his team for the constructive work conducted with the Eurofighter Consortium. I express appreciation to the leaders of other consortium member allied countries for their constructive approach. I believe this cooperation with the United Kingdom will open doors to joint defense industry projects."
Starmer announced the launch of the first-ever U.K.-Türkiye bilateral cooperation framework. "This is a landmark moment reflecting the increasing depth and breadth of our existing cooperation and our ambition to go further," he stated.
Prime Minister Starmer said that with a new and modern free trade agreement, the two countries will be able to act jointly on security and counterterrorism, as well as on migration, energy, and many other issues. He emphasized that the UK views Türkiye as a country of increasing economic and strategic importance.
The two nations decided to begin work on relaunching the Turkish-British Tatlidil Forum, which first met in 2011, intending to strengthen bilateral relations. This dialogue will include businesspeople, parliamentarians, academics, and scientists, bringing together scientific and innovation resources from both nations to create new collaborative opportunities.
Starmer said he would be pleased to return to Ankara for the NATO Summit scheduled to be held in the Turkish capital on July 7-8, 2026.
Turkish Air Force F-16 fighters welcomed the arriving Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft into Turkish airspace during Prime Minister Starmer's visit.
The Turkish Ministry of Defense announced that three Eurofighter aircraft from the Royal Air Force arrived in Türkiye as part of Starmer's visit.
The ministry stated, "Turkish Air Force F-16 fighters welcomed the Eurofighter aircraft as they entered Turkish airspace, accompanying them to Ankara Murted Air Base Command."
The ministry released photographs of the aircraft escorting operation.
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