Türkiye has signed a historic agreement with the United Kingdom to purchase 20 Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jets in a deal worth nearly $11 billion, marking a major step in the country’s ongoing effort to modernize its air defense capabilities and reinforce its position within NATO.
The deal was sealed on Monday in Ankara, where British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan met at the Presidential Palace to finalize what the UK’s Ministry of Defence called “the biggest fighter jet deal in a generation.”
A New Strategic Chapter Between Türkiye and the UK
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Starmer described the agreement as a significant boost for both countries and for NATO as a whole.
“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,” he said, emphasizing the alliance’s unity amid growing regional security challenges.
President Erdoğan hailed the deal as a “new symbol of strategic relations” between Ankara and London. “Türkiye and the United Kingdom are two close allies whose cooperation continues to strengthen in every field — from defense to trade,” he added.
According to Starmer, the first batch of Typhoon jets is expected to be delivered to Türkiye by 2030, forming the backbone of the country’s next-generation air force fleet.
Biggest Fighter Jet Deal in Decades
The Eurofighter Typhoon, a multirole combat aircraft developed jointly by the UK, Germany, Italy, and Spain, is among Europe’s most advanced fighter jets. The aircraft is capable of air superiority, ground attack, and reconnaissance missions, making it a key strategic asset for NATO members.
The UK’s Ministry of Defence called the deal “the biggest fighter jet agreement in a generation,” underscoring its geopolitical significance and industrial value for Britain’s defense sector.
The agreement comes just months after a preliminary deal signed in July 2025 between the two countries for up to 40 Typhoons, pending approval from other Eurofighter consortium members — Germany, Italy, and Spain. Ankara has now moved forward with an initial order for 20, with further purchases likely in the coming years.
Ankara’s Broader Air Defense Ambitions
Türkiye’s latest purchase is part of its multi-layered strategy to modernize its air force as it works toward launching its own indigenously developed fifth-generation fighter jet, KAAN.
Turkish officials have confirmed that Ankara aims to acquire a total of 120 modern fighter jets before KAAN becomes fully operational, bridging the capability gap left by delayed international deliveries and its exclusion from the F-35 program.
As part of that effort, Türkiye also plans to acquire 12 additional Typhoons each from Qatar and Oman, according to defense ministry sources.
Last year, Ankara reached a $7 billion agreement with the United States for 40 F-16 jets and modernization kits, but that deal has faced repeated delays due to political hurdles in Washington.
Erdogan’s Outreach to the US and NATO
President Erdoğan has also expressed renewed interest in rejoining the US-led F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program, from which Türkiye was expelled in 2019 following its purchase of Russian-made S-400 missile defense systems. The issue remains a key sticking point in Ankara-Washington relations.
During a recent phone conversation with US President Donald Trump, Erdoğan reportedly discussed potential avenues for Türkiye’s re-engagement with the F-35 program, part of a broader effort to normalize defense cooperation with the United States.
Domestic Politics Shadow the Visit
Starmer’s trip to Ankara — his first official visit to Türkiye as UK prime minister — coincided with mounting political tension inside the country. On the same day as the signing ceremony, Turkish prosecutors filed new espionage charges against Ekrem İmamoğlu, the jailed mayor of Istanbul and one of Erdoğan’s most prominent political rivals.
İmamoğlu, who was arrested in March over alleged corruption, vehemently denies all charges, calling them politically motivated. His imprisonment has drawn condemnation from Western governments and human rights organizations, which see it as part of a broader crackdown on political dissent.
Despite these domestic challenges, Erdoğan used the occasion to project strength and stability, framing the Eurofighter deal as a demonstration of Türkiye’s international credibility and its role as a key NATO power straddling Europe and the Middle East.
A Boost for NATO’s Southeastern Flank
Defense analysts say the Eurofighter acquisition will significantly boost NATO’s southeastern defense posture, particularly amid heightened tensions in the Black Sea and Middle East regions.
“The Eurofighter deal cements Türkiye’s position as one of NATO’s most capable air powers,” said Dr. Selim Çakır, a defense analyst at Istanbul Policy Forum. “It also reinforces Ankara’s message that it remains a loyal NATO member despite occasional political friction.”
As the first jets are expected to arrive in 2030, Türkiye’s air force is preparing for a decade of transformation, combining Western technology with domestic innovation through its KAAN program.
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