The UK and Türkiye have taken a significant step closer to finalising a multi-billion-pound export deal for Typhoon fighter jets—an agreement that could safeguard thousands of skilled UK jobs
and deepen defence ties between the two NATO allies.
At the International Defence Industry Fair in Istanbul, UK Defence Secretary John Healey and Turkish Defence Minister Yaşar Güler signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), marking major progress in negotiations. The agreement paves the way for Türkiye to acquire Typhoon fighter jets, enhancing its combat capabilities while reinforcing NATO’s collective defence posture.
The Typhoon programme currently supports 20,000 jobs across the UK. A future export deal with Türkiye would secure thousands of those jobs for years to come, in line with the UK Government’s broader economic strategy, the Plan for Change, which sees defence as a driver of national growth.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer said:
“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.
Signing a multi-billion export deal with Türkiye will sustain and protect 20,000 UK jobs for future years to come - which is why my government is so dedicated to securing it. It will bolster our vital defence industry, deliver on our Plan for Change and keep us and our allies safer during these uncertain times”.
Defence Secretary John Healey MP said:
“Today’s agreement is a big step towards Türkiye buying UK Typhoon fighter jets. It shows this government’s determination to secure new defence deals, building on our relationships abroad to deliver for British working people.
Equipping Türkiye 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.
Last month’s Strategic Defence Review stressed the importance of exports, and now with our new defence exports office, we are developing defence’s role as an engine for economic growth as a foundation of the government’s Plan for Change.”
This would be the UK’s first Typhoon export order since 2017. Negotiations with Türkiye will continue over the coming weeks.
As part of a broader shift in defence strategy, the Ministry of Defence will assume full responsibility for defence exports from 31 July. This change follows recommendations from the recent Strategic Defence Review (SDR), which emphasised the economic importance of military exports. The MOD’s new defence exports office will support British defence companies globally and work to secure new deals that stimulate UK industry.
Charles Woodburn, Chief Executive, BAE Systems said:
“This Memorandum of Understanding between the Governments of Türkiye and the UK underscores the importance of their long-standing defence co-operation through NATO and the critical role Typhoon plays in security and defence in Europe and the Middle East.
The UK also continues to invest in its own world-class Typhoon fleet, which will remain the backbone of the UK’s air defence until at least the 2040s. The RAF’s existing Typhoons are being upgraded over the next 15 years, supporting skilled jobs across the UK”.
In 2023, UK defence exports reached £14.5 billion. The Typhoon programme, which is a collaboration between the Eurofighter partner nations, sees 37% of each aircraft built in the UK. Final assembly at BAE Systems’ Warton site involves contributions from across the country—including radar systems from Edinburgh and engines from Bristol—making it a truly nationwide effort. Photo: SAC Andrew Seaward/MOD, Wikimedia commons.