Türkiye Signs £8B Deal for 20 Eurofighter Typhoons from UK with Deliveries Starting 2030

Türkiye has signed a landmark £8 billion ($10.2 billion) agreement with the United Kingdom to acquire 20 Eurofighter Typhoon multirole fighters. The deal marks a significant step in Ankara’s effort to modernize its combat aviation fleet amid delays in fifth-generation fighter programs and regional security challenges. Deliveries are slated to begin in 2030.

Strategic Acquisition Amid Fighter Fleet Gaps

The procurement of 20 Eurofighter Typhoons comes at a critical juncture for the Turkish Air Force (TuAF), which faces capability gaps following its removal from the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program in 2019 due to its acquisition of the Russian S-400 air defense system. With aging F-4E Phantom IIs being phased out and F-16 Block 30/40s undergoing upgrades but nearing obsolescence by the early 2030s, Ankara has been seeking an interim solution before its indigenous TF-X (KAAN) fifth-generation fighter becomes operational.

The Eurofighter Typhoon—a twin-engine multirole fighter developed by a consortium of Airbus (Germany/Spain), BAE Systems (UK), and Leonardo (Italy)—offers advanced capabilities in both air superiority and ground attack roles. Its integration into TuAF will provide enhanced interoperability with NATO allies while bridging the gap until KAAN enters full-rate production.

Deal Structure and Industrial Participation

The £8 billion package includes not only aircraft but also spare parts, training systems, logistics support, mission planning tools, and simulators. The agreement reportedly covers Tranche 3B-standard aircraft equipped with AESA radar (Captor-E Mk1), PIRATE IRST sensor suite, DASS self-protection system, and compatibility with Meteor beyond-visual-range air-to-air missiles (BVRAAM).

According to statements from BAE Systems and Turkish officials familiar with the negotiations:

BAE Systems will serve as prime contractor for final assembly.
Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) is expected to contribute to component manufacturing and maintenance support under an offset arrangement.
Rolls-Royce will supply EJ200 turbofan engines but may explore local MRO partnerships through Kale Group or TEI.

This industrial cooperation aligns with Türkiye’s longstanding goal of expanding domestic aerospace capabilities while maintaining access to Western technologies.

Operational Impact on Turkish Air Force Capabilities

The introduction of Eurofighters will significantly enhance TuAF’s deterrence posture across multiple domains:

BVR Superiority: With Meteor missiles integrated via Phase Enhancement Packages (PEPs), TuAF gains unmatched long-range engagement options over regional rivals operating legacy MiG-29s or Su-30s.
NATO Interoperability: The platform supports Link-16 datalink standards and NATO STANAG protocols for joint operations—critical amid Türkiye’s role on NATO’s southeastern flank.
Multi-role Flexibility: Capable of precision strike using Paveway IV or Brimstone munitions alongside air policing missions under QRA protocols.

The first squadron is expected to be based at Eskişehir or Merzifon AFB depending on integration timelines. Training pipelines will begin by late 2029 using simulators delivered under this package deal.

Diplomatic Context: Resetting Ties with Western Defense Industry

This deal also signals a thawing of relations between Türkiye and key European defense stakeholders after years of friction over Ankara’s S-400 procurement and Syria policy divergence. Germany had previously blocked sales of new Typhoons to Türkiye due to political concerns; however, Berlin reportedly lifted objections following trilateral talks involving London and Madrid earlier this year.

The UK has been instrumental in brokering this agreement—leveraging its Brexit-era push for bilateral defense-industrial ties outside EU frameworks. The move also complements existing UK–Türkiye collaboration on the TF-X program where BAE Systems provides design consultancy since a £100 million agreement signed in 2017.

Implications for Regional Balance and Future Programs

Ankara’s decision to procure fourth-generation-plus fighters rather than wait solely on KAAN reflects pragmatic risk mitigation amid growing tensions in the Eastern Mediterranean and Caucasus regions. While KAAN made its maiden flight in February 2025—with IOC projected no earlier than 2033—the Eurofighters offer near-term readiness enhancement without strategic compromise.

This acquisition may also influence future procurement decisions across the region:

Greece: Already operating Rafales; may seek additional platforms or upgrades in response.
Azerbaijan: Potentially interested in surplus F-16s or similar platforms via Turkish channels post-Eurofighter integration experience sharing.
MENA Nations: Saudi Arabia remains interested in additional Typhoons; Türkiye’s buy could strengthen supply chain viability post-German export hesitancy resolution.

Conclusion: A Calculated Leap Forward

Türkiye’s acquisition of Eurofighter Typhoons represents both an operational necessity and strategic recalibration toward Western-aligned defense architectures after years of divergence. The inclusion of advanced avionics packages ensures relevance into the mid-2040s while preserving Ankara’s autonomy through selective industrial participation. As delivery timelines firm up post-contract signature, attention will shift toward training infrastructure readiness and doctrine adaptation within TuAF squadrons tasked with integrating this high-end platform into existing force structures.