The United Kingdom will train Turkish Air Force pilots and ground crew to fly and support the Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jets under a new agreement.
The UK Ministry of Defence said Wednesday that 10 Turkish pilots and nearly 100 mechanical, avionics, weapons and mission systems technicians will train alongside the Royal Air Force to ensure long-term operation of the warplanes.
“This partnership does not just export world-leading British built jets, it builds alliances, grows our economy and makes NATO stronger,” stated Defense Secretary John Healey.
“As UK Typhoon pilots continue to fly defensive missions over the Middle East, I’m proud that Turkish pilots and engineers will train alongside our RAF personnel to strengthen our collective security — this is defence delivering for Britain,” the official added.
MOD did not disclose the exact value of the agreement, but the organization shared that the deal is worth multi-billion pounds.
BAE Systems, which produces the aircraft at multiple sites across the U.K., will support the training.
“We’re proud to support the UK’s partnership with Turkiye by delivering a trusted defence capability that deepens collaboration and reinforces shared security commitments,” commented Simon Barnes, group managing director for the air sector at BAE Systems.
How Will Turkiye’s Acquisition of Typhoon Jets Support Its Military?
Turkiye plans to procure up to 40 Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft, including an initial order of 20 jets valued at $10.7 billion. The acquisition will make Ankara the 10th operator of the aircraft, which is intended to enhance the nation’s air combat capabilities and support the modernization of its air force.
What Is the Eurofighter Typhoon?
The Eurofighter Typhoon is a twin-engine, multirole fighter aircraft developed by a European consortium of BAE Systems, Airbus and Leonardo.
Designed as a swing-role combat aircraft, it can perform both air-to-air and air-to-ground missions using advanced sensors, weapons systems and onboard processing capabilities.
The aircraft is a core component of NATO air defense operations and is used by multiple allied air forces. In 2024, NATO Eurofighter and Tornado Management Agency, the organization that serves as the single point of contact for customers, signed a deal for Italy’s purchase of up to 24 units of the Typhoon in support of the Italian Air Force’s modernization program.