IRIA News

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Turkiye has signed a landmark deal with the United Kingdom to purchase 20 Eurofighter Typhoon jets worth nearly $10.7 billion (£8 billion), deepening defense cooperation between the two NATO allies as Ankara seeks to modernize its air fleet and bridge capability gaps ahead of its indigenous KAAN fighter jet becoming operational.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer met Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara on October 27, 2025, to finalize the agreement, which London’s Defense Ministry described as “the biggest fighter jet deal in a generation.”

Erdogan hailed the move as “a new symbol of the strategic relations between two close allies,” emphasizing the shared defense priorities within NATO.

“This is the southeast flank of NATO, and so having that capability locked in with the United Kingdom is really important for NATO as well,” Starmer said during the signing ceremony.

The trip marks British Prime Minister Starmer’s first official visit to Turkiye since assuming office last year and underscores the UK’s growing military partnership with Ankara. Both sides signaled interest in expanding joint defense industry projects following the Eurofighter purchase.

Birleşik Krallık’la iş birliğimizin savunma sanayisinde müşterek projelere kapı aralayacağına inanıyorum. 🇹🇷🇬🇧 pic.twitter.com/kkLpEvNx1m

— Recep Tayyip Erdoğan (@RTErdogan) October 27, 2025

Filling Gaps in Turkiye’s Fleet

Turkiye’s air force has long relied on F-16s, many of which are nearing the end of their service life. Ankara aims to replace and reinforce its fleet as it works on producing the fifth-generation KAAN jet domestically.

In July, Turkiye and the UK signed a preliminary purchase agreement for up to 40 Typhoons, a move approved by the Eurofighter consortium partners, Germany, Italy, and Spain. The first of the 20 newly ordered Typhoons is expected to arrive in Turkiye by 2030, according to Starmer.

Turkish officials have indicated that Ankara plans to acquire as many as 120 fighter jets overall before the KAAN fleet enters full service.

As part of efforts to expand its fleet further, the Turkish Defense Ministry said it also plans to buy 12 more Typhoons each from Qatar and Oman. According to reports last week, the two Gulf states may provide Turkiye with lightly used aircraft to meet immediate operational needs while awaiting new deliveries from the UK.

Erdogan recently visited Qatar and Oman in part to discuss the plan, which officials say will help close Turkiye’s airpower gap with regional rivals, including Israel.

Strategic Timing Amid Regional Tensions

The purchase comes as Turkiye faces mounting regional security concerns. Israeli airstrikes across the Middle East, including in Iran, Syria, Lebanon, and Qatar, have heightened Ankara’s urgency to strengthen its defenses. Officials say the new Eurofighters will serve as a bridge until Turkiye’s domestically produced KAAN fighter jets are ready in the coming years.

Last year, Turkiye also concluded a $7 billion deal with the United States for 40 F-16 fighter jets, though deliveries have been delayed. Ankara continues to pursue re-entry into the U.S.-led F-35 program, from which it was expelled in 2019 following its acquisition of the Russian S-400 missile defense system.

Criticism Over the Price Tag

Despite the strategic significance of the deal, the cost has drawn criticism from some defense analysts. Istanbul-based analyst Burak Yildirim described the price as “outrageously high” and “unprecedented,” suggesting that the package may include spare parts, ammunition, and training.

“They’re selling planes at frigate prices,” Yildirim said. “You can’t have a combat jet for 400 million pounds; they’re selling one plane for the price of four.”

Neither Ankara nor London has disclosed the full details of the contract or confirmed what additional components are included in the total price.

Birleşik Krallık Başbakanı, değerli dostum Sayın Starmer’ı ülkemizde ağırlamaktan büyük memnuniyet duydum. 🇹🇷🇬🇧

Bugünkü görüşmelerimizin odağını ticaret ve savunma ilişkilerimiz teşkil etti. Ticaret hacmimizi 30 milyar dolara, ardından 40 milyar dolara çıkarma kararlılığındayız.… pic.twitter.com/XncirH0Hcd

— Recep Tayyip Erdoğan (@RTErdogan) October 27, 2025

Boost to UK Defense Exports

For Britain, the agreement represents a major boost to its defense export sector and an affirmation of its commitment to NATO cooperation. The Eurofighter Typhoon is a multinational project involving Airbus, BAE Systems, and Leonardo, and the deal with Turkiye is expected to generate significant industrial benefits for the UK and its partners.

“The Eurofighter deal shows the strength of the UK’s global partnerships and the importance of maintaining our shared security commitments,” Starmer said, adding that the agreement includes an option for Turkiye to purchase additional aircraft in the future.

The Eurofighter purchase marks a major step in Turkiye’s effort to secure its southern flank within NATO and enhance its deterrence capability amid growing instability across the Middle East. For the UK, it cements a strategic defence relationship with one of NATO’s largest and most active militaries.

Analysts say the timing of the deal, as Europe seeks to bolster its eastern defense and discuss potential post-war stabilization roles in Ukraine, underscores Turkiye’s renewed importance as a regional power and defense partner.

With deliveries set to begin in 2030, the deal signals a new era of collaboration between Ankara and London, one that blends strategic necessity, alliance politics, and a shared vision for regional security.