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Turkey has agreed to buy 20 Eurofighter Typhoon jets from Britain for £8 billion ($10.7 billion), British Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s office said on Monday, according to Reuters.
Starmer met Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara to sign the deal, which expands defence cooperation between the NATO allies.
What the deal is about
The agreement confirms plans first discussed in July, when Turkey and Britain signed a preliminary purchase deal for 40 Typhoon jets. That plan was approved by the Eurofighter consortium members Germany, Italy and Spain represented by Airbus, BAE Systems and Leonardo, Reuters reported.
Turkey hopes the new jets will strengthen its air force as it upgrades a fleet mostly made up of older F-16s.
Why Turkey wants the jets
Reuters said Turkey is working to keep up with countries in its region that have more advanced air power, including Israel, which has carried out multiple air strikes across the Middle East this year.
Turkey also wants support while it develops its own KAAN fighter jets, which are still years away from entering service.
Officials told Reuters that Turkey has been concerned about air attacks in nearby countries, including Iran and Syria, and wants stronger defences.
Wider defence talks with the West
Turkey has recently improved ties with Western allies. Reuters reported that Ankara also aims to secure US-made F-35s in the future.
Last year, Turkey agreed a $7 billion deal with the United States for 40 F-16s, though delivery has been delayed.
Europe sees Turkey which has NATO’s second-largest military and exports drones as an important security partner, especially for strengthening the alliance’s eastern flank.
Fast-delivery jets expected
A Reuters report last week said Turkey was close to receiving 12 used Typhoons from Qatar and Oman to meet urgent needs, with brand-new jets arriving later from the UK.
Erdogan visited Qatar and Oman recently to discuss that plan. The signing took place during Starmer’s first trip to Turkey since taking office last year.
