UK and Turkey sign deal paving the way for multi-billion pound Typhoon export

The UK and Turkey have signed a Memorandum of Understanding that could lead to a multi-billion pound Typhoon fighter jet export deal – the first UK Typhoon sale since 2017.

The agreement was signed by Defence Secretary John Healey and Turkish Defence Minister Yaşar Güler at the International Defence Industry Fair in Istanbul.

The Typhoon, developed by a four-nation consortium of the UK, Germany, Italy and Spain, remains one of Europe's flagship multi-role combat aircraft

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Under the proposed agreement, more than a third of each aircraft – around 37% – would be built and manufactured in the UK.

If finalised, the deal would help sustain the 20,000 British jobs linked to the Typhoon programme, including assembly at BAE Systems' Warton site and component manufacturing in Edinburgh and Bristol.

"The UK's production of Typhoon fighter jets is an engine for economic growth, supporting the lives and livelihoods of thousands of British people right across the UK," Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said. 

"Equipping Turkey with Typhoons would strengthen Nato's collective defence, and boost both our countries' industrial bases by securing thousands of skilled jobs across the UK for years to come," Mr Healey said. 

While the deal is not yet finalised, both sides described the agreement as a key milestone. If completed, the order would mark a significant boost for the UK defence sector at a time when the government is attempting to position defence exports as a driver of economic growth, as outlined in the Strategic Defence Review.

The Eurofighter Typhoon, operated by the RAF since 2003, forms the backbone of the UK's combat air fleet and is also in service with Germany, Italy, Spain, and Saudi Arabia.

Its twin engines, high agility, and weapons integration allow it to perform air-to-air, strike, and reconnaissance missions.

The RAF's current fleet is expected to remain in service into the 2040s, with upgrades ongoing.

Turkey's interest in acquiring the Typhoon comes amid growing frustration with delays to its purchase of US-made F-16s, and following its removal from the F-35 programme in 2019.

While any final deal would still require approval from Eurofighter partner nations – including Germany, which has previously expressed hesitation about arms exports to Ankara – it signals Turkey's intent to modernise its air force with Western platforms.

The Typhoon's future beyond the 2040s is expected to be gradually phased out as the UK transitions to the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP), a sixth-generation stealth Tempest fighter being developed with Japan and Italy.