The news flow around the United Kingdom’s decision to sell Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jets to Türkiye accelerated in July 2025. On 23 July, at the International Defence Industry Fair (IDEF) in Istanbul, Turkish Defence Minister Yaşar Güler and British Defence Secretary John Healey signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) that allows Ankara to operate Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft. The Typhoon is a fourth‑generation multirole fighter built by a consortium of Germany, Britain, Italy and Spain through Airbus, BAE Systems and Leonardo.The MoU does not represent a final sale, but it demonstrates the two governments’ intention to negotiate a multi‑billion‑dollar contract for up to 40 aircraft. Güler told reporters that the agreement brings Türkiye “one step closer to a fully comprehensive agreement” and would strengthen NATO and Türkiye's air‑power.
Turkey’s search for a new fighter
Turkey has spent years searching for a replacement for its aging F‑16 fleet. The country was expelled from the U.S.‑led F‑35 program in 2019 after purchasing Russian S‑400 air‑defence systems, a decision Washington said posed a risk to the stealth jets. Ankara has since tried to procure new F‑16s and upgrade kits from the United States, and it has invested in a domestic fifth‑generation fighter program known as KAAN, which is slated to enter service in 2028. Prolonged delays in the F‑16 deal and the uncertainty of returning to the F‑35 program have led Turkish officials to view the Eurofighter as either strategic leverage in talks with the United States or a complementary acquisition.
Details of the Memorandum of Understanding
The MoU signed on 23 July outlines the framework for Turkey to procure up to 40 Eurofighter Typhoons, with the composition of the order still subject to negotiation. The agreement follows months of discussions between Ankara and the Eurofighter consortium. Britain led the negotiations and emphasised that 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”. BAE Systems, which handles final assembly of UK Typhoons, welcomed the signing and pledged to work with both governments to formalise the procurement. Turkish officials said the memorandum “takes the two countries one step closer to a full agreement”.
A major hurdle was Germany’s approval. Because the Typhoon is a multinational program, all four partner nations must approve any export. Berlin initially opposed selling the jets because of human‑rights concerns, including the March 2025 arrest of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu. However, reports from Germany’s Der Spiegel and Bloomberg revealed that the Federal Security Council, which oversees arms exports, approved the delivery of 40 Typhoons just before the MoU was signed. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz indicated that negotiators were close to making an export licence possible. With Berlin’s veto lifted, the UK–Turkey MoU could proceed to the contract phase.
Industrial and economic stakes
For the UK, the prospective deal offers a lifeline to its Typhoon production line in Warton, northern England. The British government placed its last order for the aircraft in 2009, and without new orders the assembly line risked closing after completing aircraft for Qatar. Prime Minister Keir Starmer hailed the agreement with Turkey, saying it would “sustain and protect 20,000 UK jobs for future years to come”. BAE Systems has said it is confident of winning new orders and noted that the Typhoon is already operated by nine air forces and provides air policing on NATO’s eastern flank.
The MoU is also significant for the Eurofighter consortium. After a wave of orders in the 2000s, the aircraft has been eclipsed by Lockheed Martin’s stealthier F‑35, prompting the consortium to seek new export customers. A contract with Turkey, estimated by analysts to be worth around $5.6 billion for up to 40 jets. could help Eurofighter ramp production from 14 to 20 aircraft per year and encourage other potential buyers, such as Qatar and Austria, to finalise their own deals.
Negotiations and outstanding issues
Despite the positive rhetoric, the MoU is not a final sale. Turkish officials have received an initial offer and expect to submit a counter‑proposal, meaning the price and configuration of the jets are still under negotiation. Reports suggest that a final contract could be signed in the fall after further talks. Turkey’s defence ministry is also negotiating over the technical terms, including the integration of MBDA’s Meteor beyond‑visual‑range air‑to‑air missile. The War Zone reported that the deal is likely to include Meteor missiles which Greece, Turkey’s regional rival, already operates and which could shift the regional military balance.
Greece has voiced concerns that the sale would violate security guarantees under its 2021 defence pact with France, but because the Typhoon and Meteor missiles are produced by multiple countries, a French move to block the missile transfer appears unlikely.. The potential integration of these missiles underscores the strategic nature of the sale and explains why neighbouring states are closely watching the negotiations.
Geopolitical implications
The MoU reflects a broader realignment in Turkey’s defence procurement. Ankara has diversified its arms sources after friction with Washington over the S‑400 purchase and human‑rights issues. By turning to the Eurofighter, Turkey signals willingness to work more closely with European partners while still pursuing U.S.‑made F‑16s and developing the indigenous KAAN fighter. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said he discussed the Eurofighter sale directly with Prime Minister Starmer and Chancellor Merz and that both leaders were “approaching this positively”. Güler emphasised that joining the “Typhoon club” would deepen Turkey’s defence cooperation with NATO and enhance deterrence.
For the UK, the potential sale demonstrates the new Labour government’s commitment to defence exports and to protecting domestic manufacturing jobs. Healey described the MoU as a “big step” toward finalising a contract and said equipping Turkey with Typhoons would strengthen NATO. The agreement also provides economic benefits by keeping the Warton assembly line open and supporting thousands of skilled workers.
Outlook
The current situation is one of cautious optimism. Turkey and the UK have cleared the biggest political obstacles, with Germany’s approval in hand. Negotiators must still agree on price, configuration and industrial participation, and opposition from Greece could complicate the integration of advanced weaponry. If concluded, the sale would mark the first export order for the Typhoon since 2017 and would tie Türkiye more closely to European defence cooperation. Until a contract is signed, the Eurofighter deal remains a symbol of intent rather than a concrete arms transfer.