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UK and Turkey sign multi-billion-pound air defence deal
Reuters | March 25, 2026 11:19 PM CST

Synopsis

The new contract ​covers UK-based training for Turkish pilots and ground crew as ​Turkey moves towards ⁠operating ‌its first batch of ​British-built ​jets, Britain's Ministry of ⁠Defence said in a statement.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer speaks to workers during a visit to BAE Systems' Warton Aerodrome in Lancashire, Britain, after the signing of a deal with Turkey worth up to £8 billion for 20 UK Typhoon fighter jets

LONDON: Britain and ​Turkey on Wednesday ​signed a multi-billion-pound agreement ​for a major new training and support contract as part of its ‌8 -billion-pound ($10.73 ⁠billion) ⁠Typhoon fighter jet deal the ​two countries concluded last year.

The new contract ​covers UK-based training for Turkish pilots and ground crew as ​Turkey moves towards ⁠operating ‌its first batch of ​British-built ​jets, Britain's Ministry of ⁠Defence said in a statement.

Defence firms ​including BAE Systems, Leonardo ​UK , MBDA, Rolls-Royce and Martin-Baker will supply components and training equipment.


Defence Secretary John Healey and Turkish Defence Minister Yasar ‌Guler signed the agreement in London, which ​the British government ​said ⁠marked the next phase of Turkey's entry into the Eurofighter programme and ​reinforcing NATO's combat air capability on its eastern flank.


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