- Defence Ministers of UK and Türkiye sign agreement in
Istanbul, a major step towards the export of Typhoon fighter jets
to Türkiye.
- Agreement strengthens NATO's collective deterrence and builds
on years of defence cooperation and growing industrial ties
between UK and Türkiye.
- 20,000 UK jobs are supported by Typhoon programme, with
exports set to secure thousands of UK production line jobs,
delivering on the Government's Plan for Change.
A multi-billion-pound export deal of Typhoon fighter jets to
Türkiye – which could secure thousands of skilled UK jobs – is a
significant step closer today, following the signing of an
agreement that will also strengthen the UK-Türkiye partnership.
Defence Secretary and Defence Minister Yaşar
Güler signed the Memorandum of Understanding at the International
Defence Industry Fair in Istanbul. Building on years of defence
cooperation, they agreed that a future Typhoon exports deal would
strengthen Türkiye's advanced combat capabilities and help
sustain the 20,000 UK jobs involved in the Typhoon programme here
at home.
Negotiations on the potential deal with Türkiye will now continue
over the coming weeks. It would be the first export order the UK
has secured for Typhoon since 2017.
By securing thousands of jobs on UK production lines, the
Government will be delivering on our Plan for Change by driving
defence as an engine for economic growth.
Prime Minister said:
“The UK's production of Typhoon fighter jets is an engine for
economic growth - supporting the lives and livelihoods of
thousands of British people right across the UK.
“Signing a multi-billion export deal with Türkiye will sustain
and protect 20,000 UK jobs for future years to come - which is
why my government is so dedicated to securing it. It will bolster
our vital defence industry, deliver on our Plan for Change and
keep us and our allies safer during these uncertain times.”
Defence Secretary MP said:
“Today's agreement is a big step towards Türkiye buying UK
Typhoon fighter jets. It shows this government's determination to
secure new defence deals, building on our relationships abroad to
deliver for British working people.
“Equipping Türkiye 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.
"Last month's Strategic Defence Review stressed the importance of
exports, and now with our new defence exports office, we are
developing defence's role as an engine for economic growth as a
foundation of the government's Plan for Change."
It comes as the Defence Secretary makes the drive for new defence
export deals a high priority.
The Ministry of Defence is preparing to take on responsibility
for defence exports from 31st July, in a significant
step of delivery for the Strategic Defence Review. The defence
exports team will back British businesses on the global stage,
drive potential exports and seek to enhance economic growth.
The latest statistics show UK defence exports were valued at
£14.5 billion in just a 12-month period. Following the SDR's
direction, it moves responsibility for defence exports from the
Department for Business and Trade, making the MOD the lead for
securing deals for military equipment with our allies.
The Typhoon workshare agreement would see more than a third (37%)
of each aircraft manufactured in the UK; the rest of each
aircraft would be produced by the Eurofighter Partner Nations.
Final production at BAE Systems' Warton site would include radars
from Edinburgh and engines from Bristol, helping secure thousands
of UK jobs.
Charles Woodburn, Chief Executive, BAE Systems
said:
“This Memorandum of Understanding between the Governments of
Türkiye and the UK underscores the importance of their
long-standing defence co-operation through NATO and the critical
role Typhoon plays in security and defence in Europe and the
Middle East.”
The UK also continues to invest in its own world-class Typhoon
fleet, which will remain the backbone of the UK's air defence
until at least the 2040s. The RAF's existing Typhoons are being
upgraded over the next 15 years, supporting skilled jobs across
the UK.
