British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has officially signed a significant agreement to sell Eurofighter jets to NATO member Turkey, marking a 10-year deal valued at nearly $11 billion. This agreement was finalized after discussions with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Monday.
Starmer emphasized the importance of the deal, stating, “This is a really significant deal, because it’s 8 billion pounds ($10.7 billion) worth of orders… These are jobs that will last for 10 years, making the (Eurofighter) Typhoons, so really big for our country.” The British defense ministry characterized this transaction, which involves an order of 20 Eurofighter Typhoon planes, as the “biggest fighter jet deal in a generation.” This move is viewed as a way to enhance Turkey’s combat capabilities while simultaneously strengthening NATO’s position in a strategic region.
The Prime Minister further noted that the deal would not only bolster security across NATO but also secure approximately 20,000 British jobs, including a provision for the future supply of additional Eurofighters if needed. Erdogan responded positively, calling the agreement “a new symbol of the strategic relations” with the UK and expressed gratitude towards the other nations involved in the consortium responsible for the jets: Germany, Italy, and Spain.
John Healey, the British Defence Minister who accompanied Starmer to Ankara, remarked on the broader implications of the deal, stating, “It goes far beyond” aircraft procurement. He emphasized the growing defense and industrial partnership between the two nations, highlighting Turkey as “an important NATO ally and the gatekeeper to the Black Sea.”
However, the visit was overshadowed by a controversy surrounding a spying scandal that erupted shortly before Starmer’s arrival. A Turkish court charged Istanbul’s jailed opposition mayor with espionage related to alleged connections with a businessman reportedly spying for Britain. Neither the British nor Turkish officials addressed the scandal during the visit, even as it dominated Turkish media attention.
As part of the official visit, three Eurofighter jets from the Royal Air Force landed in Turkey, with confirmation from Turkey’s defense ministry regarding their arrival. Additionally, two more Eurofighter jets reached Turkish soil, although it remains unclear whether these jets will be transferred to Turkey or utilized for the training of Turkish pilots.
Turkey has been actively modernizing its air force, seeking to acquire a total of 40 of the European-made fighter aircraft. Negotiations between the UK and Turkey intensified after Germany lifted its veto on the sale in response to Ankara’s assertive stance on the ongoing Gaza conflict.
In related developments, Turkish President Erdogan recently met with Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, during which the potential acquisition of Eurofighters was discussed. Qatar, having ordered 24 Eurofighters in 2017, is reportedly interested in acquiring additional jets. Analysts suggest that any transaction would require the UK’s approval.
Moreover, the Eurofighters delivered to Turkey were likely those initially intended for Qatar, indicating a reshuffling of aircraft allocations. There are expectations that topics such as the future of Gaza will feature prominently in discussions between Erdogan and Starmer, with Turkey eager to participate in an international stabilization force, a proposal that faces opposition from Israel.
