Twenty Typhoons bought by Türkiye

Image courtesy BAE Systems

The UK Government has announced a c.£5.4 billion agreement with the Republic of Türkiye for the purchase of 20 Typhoon aircraft and an associated weapons and integration package, sustaining more than 20,000 highly skilled jobs across the UK supply chain.

Under the agreement, BAE Systems will manufacture major airframe components, conduct the final assembly of the aircraft and lead the weapons integration at its sites in Lancashire, generating work for hundreds of companies across the UK supply chain. The weapons package will be primarily provided by MBDA.

The agreement announced yesterday means the Turkish Air Force will become the 10th air force to operate Typhoon and reflects the crucial role Typhoons are providing in international air defence.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer said: "This landmark agreement with Türkiye is a win for British workers, a win for our defence industry, and a win for NATO security. 

"At either ends of Europe, the UK and Türkiye are vital to tackling the challenges of our time and this will allow our Armed Forces to work even closer together as we deter threats and protect our national interests. 

"Delivering highly skilled, well-paid jobs, including in Warton, Edinburgh and Bristol for years to come, this is yet another example of our Plan for Change in action, driving renewal and opportunity up and down the country."

The deal also follows the Prime Minister and the German Chancellor Friedrich Merz signing a new agreement in July to boost world-class UK defence exports such as Boxer armoured vehicles and Typhoon. 

Defence Secretary John Healey, who travelled with the Prime Minister to Ankara to finalise the deal, said: "This is another major export deal for the UK and is the biggest jet exports deal in a generation. It will pump billions of pounds into our economy and keep British Typhoon production lines turning long into the future. This deal goes far beyond the procurement of aircraft. It is the leading edge of the growing defence and industrial partnership between our two nations. Türkiye is an important NATO ally and the gatekeeper to the Black Sea. By equipping them with top-of-the-range Typhoon fighter jets, this deal will strengthen NATO deterrence and help make us all safer."  

The first delivery to Türkiye is expected to take place in 2030.

BAE Systems Chief Executive, Charles Woodburn said: "Türkiye’s procurement of Typhoon marks the start of a new chapter in our longstanding relationship with this important NATO ally and reinforces the outstanding operational support the aircraft continues to deliver across Europe and the Middle East as a fundamental pillar of defence and security.

"Typhoon is an export success story and demonstrates how investment in defence can fuel significant economic growth and returns across the UK. Today’s announcement extends Typhoon production and preserves crucial sovereign skills which underpin the UK’s defence and security."

Gowling WLG’s Aviation, Aerospace and Defence team advised the MoD on this deal, supporting the it throughout this complex and high-profile transaction. The team was led by Elizabeth Williams, Partner and Head of the Aviation, Aerospace and Defence sector and supported by Taylor Love, Grace Kemp and Stephen Kenny.
 
Elizabeth Williams commented: “This transaction exemplifies the very best of what Gowling WLG delivers – strategic, responsive and commercially astute legal advice on matters of national importance. Our team’s dedication reflects our commitment to supporting the UK Government in delivering its defence and industrial ambitions. We are honoured to have played a role in this landmark export deal.”
 
The firm collaborated closely with commercial teams in the National Armaments Director Group and MoD lawyers in Government Legal Department to deliver strategic legal advice, risk analysis and commercial insight across all facets of the deal.

Türkiye becomes the tenth operator alongside: UK, Germany, Spain, Italy, Austria, Oman, Qatar, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia

The Typhoon programme generates £1.6 billion to the UK economy each year and is widely regarded as one of the UK’s most successful defence export programmes, contributing £1.4 billion in exports annually.