A critical milestone has been reached in the procurement process for the Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jet between Turkey and the United Kingdom. National Defense Minister Yaşar Güler and British Defense Secretary John Healey signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) stipulating Turkey’s participation in this platform. The signing took place during the IDEF 2025 International Defense Industry Fair in Istanbul.
Turkey to Join the Eurofighter Typhoon Platform
The document signed by the parties signifies the official launch of the process for Turkey to procure Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jets. The memorandum demonstrates Turkey’s political and strategic will to join the Typhoon user community and paves the way for a higher level of defense cooperation between the two countries. This step further enhances the long-standing military and defense partnership between Turkey and the United Kingdom within NATO.
The Eurofighter Typhoon stands out in Europe as a fourth-generation multi-role fighter jet jointly developed by Germany, the United Kingdom, Italy, and Spain. Capable of performing air-to-air and air-to-ground missions on the same platform, the Typhoon stands out with its high maneuverability, advanced sensor systems, and modern weapons-carrying capacity.
Turkey’s participation in this platform represents a significant increase in the Air Force Command’s deterrent capability. It also represents the beginning of a new era of cooperation in the defense industry.
Germany recently granted the necessary approval for Eurofighter exports to Turkey. Turkey has requested the purchase of a total of 40 Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jets. Production of these aircraft will be carried out by UK-based BAE Systems, one of the prime contractors in the Eurofighter consortium.
The total cost of the aircraft is estimated to be approximately €4.75 billion. This figure may vary depending on the number of aircraft purchased, their configurations, and the ammunition package.
Following the signing ceremony, the Turkish and UK defense ministers stated that they welcomed this step and that the necessary arrangements would be made to swiftly complete the transition to a full-scale agreement. It was emphasized that the parties share a common vision for mutual support of defense industry capabilities.
The Eurofighter Typhoon process was noted as a historic development in the modernization of Turkey’s air force and long-term defense planning.
