Türkiye Signs £8 Billion Deal with UK for 20 Eurofighter Typhoons, Opens Path for KAAN Engine Partnership

In a landmark defense agreement, Türkiye and the United Kingdom have signed an £8 billion ($10.7 billion) deal for the purchase of 20 Eurofighter Typhoon jets, marking the largest British fighter export in two decades. The first batch of aircraft is expected to be delivered by 2030, as Ankara moves decisively to strengthen its air combat capabilities and diversify its strategic defense partnerships beyond the United States.

The Deal and Its Strategic Scope

The Turkish order covers 20 brand-new Tranche 4 Eurofighter Typhoons, the most advanced variant of the aircraft, featuring upgraded avionics, AESA radar, and enhanced combat systems. The deal, valued at roughly $10 billion, includes a comprehensive MBDA weapons package, equipping the jets with Meteor beyond-visual-range air-to-air missiles, Brimstone, and Storm Shadow cruise missiles.

Ankara is also negotiating for an additional 20 Typhoons as an optional second batch, depending on operational needs. If these follow-on orders proceed, Türkiye’s Eurofighter fleet could rise to 40 aircraft, alongside 12 second-hand jets expected from Qatar and Oman, bringing the total to approximately 52 Eurofighters. This would make Türkiye the fifth-largest Eurofighter operator in NATO, behind the UK, Italy, Germany, and Spain.

A high-level UK defense delegation is expected to visit Ankara in the coming months to finalize the second phase of the agreement and coordinate technology transfer frameworks.

Why Türkiye Chose the Eurofighter

Türkiye’s decision to procure the Eurofighter Typhoon is rooted in both strategic necessity and technological continuity. Following its expulsion from the U.S. F-35 program in 2019 due to the acquisition of Russian S-400 air defense systems, Ankara faced a significant gap in its modern fighter inventory.

Moreover, the U.S. halted export approval for the F110 engines intended for Türkiye’s indigenous KAAN fifth-generation fighter program, leaving the development timeline uncertain. The Eurofighter acquisition thus serves a dual purpose:

1. To maintain air superiority as the aging F-16 fleet nears retirement.

2. To secure technological leverage and potential collaboration opportunities with European industry—particularly Rolls-Royce, a key player in the Eurofighter consortium and a potential partner for the KAAN’s engine development.

The Engine Factor: Rolls-Royce and KAAN

Ankara’s growing defense cooperation with London is closely tied to the engine issue. Türkiye’s state defense agency, TUSAŞ Engine Industries (TEI), is developing the KAAN’s indigenous powerplant, but the process has been slowed by U.S. restrictions. By aligning with Rolls-Royce, Türkiye aims to co-develop a new turbofan engine that could power both the KAAN and future Turkish fighter platforms.

The UK’s willingness to collaborate on such sensitive technologies makes the Typhoon deal more than just a fighter jet purchase—it represents a gateway to advanced aerospace cooperation between the two nations.

Regional and Political Implications

Equipping the Turkish Air Force with Meteor-armed Typhoons will significantly enhance Ankara’s beyond-visual-range engagement capabilities, surpassing the reach of standard AIM-120 AMRAAM-equipped jets in neighboring air forces. This development has raised concerns in Israel and Greece, both wary of the expanding reach of Türkiye’s aerial arsenal.

Israeli defense officials reportedly view the deal as a potential threat to regional security, especially given the Meteor missile’s over 150 km range and advanced no-escape zone, which would provide Türkiye with a substantial tactical advantage in any confrontation. Greek analysts have also expressed alarm that the Typhoon’s arrival could tilt the regional air balance, especially as Türkiye simultaneously advances its KAAN fighter and Anka-3 UCAV programs.

A Calculated Move Toward Independence

The Eurofighter purchase is a clear signal that Türkiye is reshaping its defense relationships to reduce reliance on Washington. By aligning with the UK and leveraging European defense partnerships, Ankara aims to bypass American restrictions while accelerating its indigenous aerospace capabilities.

If all current and planned acquisitions are executed, Türkiye’s air fleet will consist of:

• 40–52 Eurofighter Typhoons,

• Upgraded F-16 Block 70/Özgür aircraft, and

• The forthcoming KAAN fifth-generation stealth fighter, expected to enter service in the early 2030s.

Türkiye’s decision to buy Eurofighter Typhoons from the UK is more than a stopgap—it’s a strategic realignment. The move consolidates Türkiye’s position as an emerging aerospace power and reflects President Erdoğan’s long-term goal of defense self-sufficiency. With British collaboration on both aircraft and engine development, Ankara is not only reinforcing its current air defense capability but also laying the foundation for an independent fighter ecosystem that could redefine its role in NATO and reshape the military balance in the Eastern Mediterranean.