Turkey and the UK Sign £8 Billion Defense Deal

Turkey and the United Kingdom have signed a historic £8 billion defense agreement to modernize the Turkish Air Force, according to diplomatic sources who spoke to Reuters.
The deal not only covers the procurement of Eurofighter Typhoon jets but also includes a comprehensive weapons package featuring advanced European missile systems.

A Leap Between F-16 and F-35 Generations

Under the agreement, Turkey will acquire a suite of state-of-the-art munitions, including:

• Meteor beyond-visual-range air-to-air missiles

• ASRAAM short-range air-to-air missiles

• Brimstone precision ground-attack missiles

The first deliveries are expected in 2030, marking the beginning of a multi-year modernization program aimed at closing the gap between current-generation F-16s and next-generation F-35 fighters.

Defense analysts describe the Eurofighter Typhoon as “a technological bridge between the F-16 and the F-35,” and emphasize that the acquisition will significantly boost Turkey’s regional air deterrence and interoperability with NATO partners.

Talks with Qatar and Oman for Additional Typhoons

In parallel with the UK deal, Turkish defense officials are also negotiating with Qatar and Oman to purchase 24 lightly used Eurofighter Typhoons to ensure fleet standardization and faster deployment.

If finalized, these additional aircraft would strengthen Turkey’s air capabilities ahead of the 2030 delivery timeline and provide a smoother transition during fleet renewal.

Strategic Implications

This landmark deal deepens Ankara’s defense ties with London, coming at a time when Turkey seeks to diversify its defense partnerships after tensions over U.S. F-35 sanctions.