The landmark agreement for 20 fighter jets, signed during the Prime Minister's visit to Ankara, is the UK's biggest fighter export deal in a generation and will bolster NATO's capabilities.
LONDON – In a major boost for the British defence industry and NATO, the UK has signed a historic deal to supply Türkiye with 20 Typhoon fighter jets in an agreement worth up to £8 billion, securing thousands of skilled jobs across the UK for years to come.
The deal, announced during Prime Minister Keir Starmer's first official visit to Ankara, represents the first new orders for UK Typhoons since 2017 and is the largest fighter jet export deal in almost two decades. It is a significant win for Britain's manufacturing heartlands, sustaining a 20,000-strong workforce at production sites in Warton, Salmesbury, Bristol, and Edinburgh.
"This landmark agreement with Türkiye is a win for British workers, a win for our defence industry, and a win for NATO security," Prime Minister Starmer said. "At either end of Europe, the UK and Türkiye are vital to tackling the challenges of our time."
The agreement, signed with President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, is strategically vital, enhancing Türkiye's advanced combat capabilities and strengthening the alliance's collective deterrence in a key region. It is also expected to increase interoperability between the British and Turkish air forces.
The deal provides a crucial lifeline for the UK's defence sector, notably saving the production line in Warton from closure. It follows another recent victory for British industry, with Norway selecting the UK's Type 26 frigate design in a separate deal that is set to add £10 billion to the economy and secure 4,000 jobs.
The government has highlighted these contracts as evidence that its "Plan for Change" is delivering, positioning the defence sector as a key engine for national economic growth.
"Delivering highly skilled, well-paid jobs... for years to come, this is yet another example of our Plan for Change in action," Prime Minister Starmer stated, "driving renewal and opportunity up and down the country."
