SIR Keir Starmer signed a deal to sell 20 Typhoon jets to Turkey in a deal worth up to £8 billion.
The PM made the agreement during a visit to Ankara yesterday, describing it as “a win for British workers, a win for our defence industry, and a win for Nato security”.
The agreement is the largest fighter jet deal in almost 20 years and the first new order for UK Typhoons since 2017, helping support thousands of British jobs.
Sir Keir said the deal also represented a boost for Nato security, telling broadcasters in Turkey: “Having that capability locked in with the United Kingdom is really important for Nato.”
Yesterday’s deal represents the conclusion of long-running discussions, with Ankara reported to have been seeking to buy Typhoons since 2023.
In July, Defence Secretary John Healey signed a memorandum of understanding with his Turkish counterpart paving the way for the export deal after Germany reportedly signed up to the agreement.
The jets, also known as Eurofighters, are produced in a partnership between the UK, Germany, Spain and Italy.
Mr Healey said: “This is another major export deal for the UK and is the biggest jet exports deal in a generation.
“It will pump billions of pounds into our economy and keep British Typhoon production lines turning long into the future.
“This deal goes far beyond the procurement of aircraft.
“It is the leading edge of the growing defence and industrial partnership between our two nations.”
