Typhoon sale to Turkey expands Eurofighter footprint in NATO

The United Kingdom has confirmed a £5.4 billion ($7.2 billion) defense agreement with Türkiye for the sale of 20 Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft, a move expected to enhance NATO airpower and sustain more than 20,000 high-skill jobs in the British defense industry.

According to a government announcement, the full value of the deal is estimated at £8 billion ($10.7 billion), encompassing not only the combat aircraft but also modernization kits sourced from partner nations for the Turkish Air Force.

In a press release, BAE Systems, one of the main stakeholders in the Eurofighter consortium, stated, “This deal is great news for the UK – boosting NATO security, investing in our world-leading sovereign combat air capability, securing long-term industrial capability and high-value jobs.” BAE Systems Chief Executive Charles Woodburn added that the agreement “marks the start of a new chapter in our longstanding relationship with this important NATO ally.”

The announcement follows a series of recent orders from three of the four Eurofighter core nations: Germany ordered 20 jets, Spain 25, and Italy up to 24. Türkiye’s purchase makes it the tenth nation to operate the Typhoon, joining a growing community of users across Europe and the Middle East. Eurofighter CEO Jorge Tamarit-Degenhardt said, “As a proud member of the Eurofighter family, Türkiye will join our four core nations and five partner nations in working together to protect our skies and strengthen security across Europe with a vital role in covering the Black Sea flank.”

According to Eurofighter, the deal also includes a weapons, integration, and equipment package. As noted by the company, continuous investment by partner countries will keep the Typhoon operational into the 2060s, maintaining its position at the forefront of multi-role combat aircraft.

The Eurofighter Typhoon program supports more than 100,000 jobs across 400 companies in Europe. Built by a consortium of the UK, Germany, Italy, and Spain—with Airbus, BAE Systems, and Leonardo as leading defense contractors—the Typhoon is regarded by operators as a vital part of Europe’s air defense infrastructure.

“The aircraft continues to deliver outstanding operational performance across Europe and the Middle East,” BAE Systems said. With Türkiye’s entry into the program, the UK-based defense giant expects further cooperation, particularly in logistics, sustainment, and shared development.

This partnership adds another strategic layer to NATO’s air deterrence capabilities and is seen by analysts as a timely response to growing regional threats. The Turkish Air Force is expected to begin receiving the aircraft once the agreement is finalized and production timelines are confirmed.

The agreement reinforces the broader defense collaboration between Türkiye and the UK, which has deepened in recent years through joint industrial projects and intelligence-sharing mechanisms within the NATO alliance. Eurofighter emphasized that the inclusion of modernization kits for the Turkish jets—sourced from existing partner nations—reflects an expanding logistical network that supports all participating countries.

In past statements, British defense officials have highlighted the importance of maintaining Typhoon production lines, not only for economic reasons but also for ensuring continued technological innovation in air combat systems. This latest deal is expected to extend Typhoon assembly and upgrade activities in the UK, particularly at BAE Systems’ sites.

As Europe’s largest collaborative defense project, the Eurofighter program continues to serve as a platform for advancing aerospace capability and deepening multilateral cooperation. Türkiye’s inclusion is widely viewed as a geopolitical and industrial milestone.