Türkiye and Britain sign preliminary deal for Eurofighter Typhoon jets

Türkiye and Britain on Wednesday signed a preliminary agreement for the sale of Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jets to Türkiye, a significant step in Ankara’s efforts to modernize its air fleet, Report informs via AP.

Turkish Defense Minister Yasar Guler and his British counterpart, John Healey, inked a memorandum of understanding during a defense industry fair in Istanbul, Türkiye’s Ministry of National Defense said.

NATO member Türkiye has long aimed to buy 40 Eurofighter jets, which are built by a consortium of British, German and Italian companies. Germany reportedly initially opposed the sale but later reversed its position. Britain led negotiations on behalf of the consortium.

A Turkish defense ministry statement said the memorandum takes the two countries “one step closer to a full agreement on the Typhoon.”

“Both Ministers welcome signature as a positive step towards bringing Türkiye into the Typhoon club and share a mutual ambition to conclude the necessary arrangements as soon as possible,” it added.