Partnership Established with Türkiye for Typhoon Aircraft Acquisition
The UK Government has unveiled a significant deal valued at approximately £5.4 billion with the Republic of Türkiye for the acquisition of 20 Typhoon aircraft. This agreement is expected to sustain over 20,000 highly skilled jobs throughout the UK supply chain.
As part of this collaboration, BAE Systems will take charge of manufacturing key airframe components, completing the final assembly of the aircraft, and leading the weapons integration process at its facilities in Lancashire. This work will support hundreds of companies across the UK supply chain, with the primary weapons package being supplied by MBDA.
This milestone means that the Turkish Air Force will become the tenth air force worldwide to operate the advanced Typhoon aircraft, emphasizing its vital contributions to global air defense.
Charles Woodburn, Chief Executive of BAE Systems, remarked:
“The procurement of Typhoon by Türkiye signifies the beginning of a new chapter in our enduring relationship with this key NATO ally. It reinforces the exceptional operational support Typhoon continues to deliver in Europe and the Middle East, serving as a fundamental pillar of defense and security.”
He further added, “Typhoon stands as a testament to an export success story, illustrating how investments in defense can drive substantial economic growth and yield significant returns for the UK. Today’s announcement ensures continued Typhoon production, preserving essential sovereign skills that support the UK’s defense and security.”
Key Highlights
- Türkiye joins the list of Typhoon operators alongside the UK, Germany, Spain, Italy, Austria, Oman, Qatar, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia.
- Typhoon is recognized as one of the UK’s most successful defense export initiatives, generating £1.4 billion in annual exports.
- This program contributes £1.6 billion to the UK economy each year.
- The Typhoon program supports over 20,000 jobs across the UK, focusing on highly skilled engineering roles, predominantly based in the North West of England.
- UK Typhoon production is set to continue into the 2030s.
- From the initial £12 billion investment by the UK Government, the program has already returned over £30 billion to the UK economy.
- Under this agreement, BAE Systems anticipates recognizing approximately £4.6 billion through its share in MBDA.
