Turkey and the United Kingdom are poised to finalize a multibillion-dollar agreement for Eurofighter Typhoon jets during British Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s inaugural official visit to Ankara on Monday, according to multiple sources. The deal, which has been in negotiation since 2023, marks a significant milestone in bilateral defense cooperation between the two nations. Ankara overcame a major obstacle earlier this year by securing Germany’s approval, which had previously vetoed the sale. A provisional agreement for 40 jets was signed in July, with ongoing discussions focusing on technical specifications and pricing. Reports indicate that Turkey found the initial pricing relatively high. Under the proposed terms, 20 jets will be operated by the Royal Air Force (RAF) to expedite delivery, while the remaining 20 will be customized to meet Turkish requirements and delivered later. In a symbolic gesture, Starmer dispatched two Eurofighter jets to Ankara ahead of his visit, underscoring the deal’s strategic importance to the UK. The visit also led Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to postpone a cabinet meeting, highlighting the significance of the occasion. The Eurofighter Typhoon Tranche 4, featuring advanced avionics and radar systems, will provide a critical stopgap solution for the Turkish Air Force, which currently relies on aging US-made F-16s. Turkey is also pursuing additional agreements to purchase used Eurofighter jets from Qatar and Oman, with separate maintenance and modernization deals expected to accompany these acquisitions. The UK has reportedly prioritized Ankara’s order by reallocating aircraft originally intended for the RAF. This landmark deal underscores Turkey’s urgent need to modernize its air force ahead of the anticipated deployment of its domestically produced Kaan fifth-generation fighter jet in 2028.
UK’s Starmer visit to Turkey set to finalise multibillion-dollar Eurofighter deal
