The United Kingdom is nearing the signing of a major contract to supply Eurofighter Typhoon jets to Turkey, following a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between Defence Secretary John Healey and his Turkish counterpart Yaşar Güler at the International Defence Industry Fair in Istanbul.
This agreement paves the way for the first Typhoon export deal since 2017, marking a significant achievement for the British defence industry. According to the Ministry of Defence, the deal will help secure around 20,000 UK jobs directly tied to Typhoon production and strengthen NATO’s collective security.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer highlighted the strategic and economic importance of the project, stating that Typhoon fighter jet production in the UK is a key driver of economic stability for thousands of British families. He emphasized that the multi-billion-pound export deal with Turkey would secure long-term employment in the sector.
Defence Secretary John Healey described the signing of the memorandum as a key milestone in delivering the outcomes of the Strategic Defence Review, which identified defence technology exports as a priority for both national security and economic growth. “Today, we are taking an important step toward supplying British Typhoons to Turkey. This reflects our commitment to securing new defence contracts, strengthening partnerships, and supporting jobs across the UK,” he said.
According to the plans, around 37% of each fighter jet’s structure will be manufactured in the United Kingdom. Final assembly will be carried out by BAE Systems at its Warton facility, using key British-made components, including radars from Edinburgh and engines from Bristol.
BAE Systems CEO Charles Woodburn emphasized: “This memorandum underscores the importance of long-term defence cooperation within NATO and the critical role of the Typhoon in supporting stability across Europe and the Middle East.”
The agreement builds on existing ties between the UK and Turkish defence industries and aligns with a new approach by the Ministry of Defence, which will assume responsibility for overseeing defence exports starting July 31, 2025.
According to the latest government data, the UK’s defence technology exports totalled approximately £14.5 billion ($18.8 billion) over the past 12 months. The deal with Turkey is expected to further boost this figure, strengthen allied defence capabilities, and expand industrial cooperation between the two countries.
Source: Ukdefencejournal
