Britain’s largest fighter jet export in 20 years secures 20,000 jobs and strengthens NATO-Turkey partnership
The United Kingdom and Turkey have signed a $10 billion contract for the delivery of 20 Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jets, the British government announced on Monday. The deal represents the UK’s biggest fighter aircraft export in two decades, marking a new chapter in defense cooperation between the two NATO allies.
According to the official statement, the contract will secure around 20,000 jobs across multiple UK sites, including Wharton, Salmsbury, Bristol, and Edinburgh. More than one-third of each aircraft will be produced in the United Kingdom, with the remaining components manufactured by the Eurofighter consortium partners — Germany, Italy, and Spain.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer hailed the agreement as “a victory for British workers, the defense industry, and NATO security.” The first deliveries to the Turkish Air Force are expected by 2030.
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BAE Systems, the UK’s main contractor for the program, said the deal secures the Wharton production line and ensures the continuity of its specialized engineering workforce for years to come. The company also highlighted that the agreement “opens a new page in cooperation between the United Kingdom and Turkey.”
Defense Secretary John Healy stated that the contract reinforces “the strategic partnership and interoperability between NATO allies.” Rolls-Royce, based in Bristol, will be responsible for producing the engines, while radar systems will be supplied by Leonardo in Edinburgh.
The contract comes amid expansion of the Eurofighter program. Recently, Germany also announced the purchase of 20 new Tranche 5 fighters as part of a defense package worth over 7 billion euros.
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Source and images: gov.uk | BAE Systems | X @tcsavunma. This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
