The U.K. and Türkiye signed a memorandum of understanding to allow Ankara to become a customer of Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jets, paving the way for a multibillion-dollar order of up to 40 aircraft.
Senior defense officials from both governments signed the deal in Istanbul on Wednesday, confirming a Dow Jones Newswires report published Monday.
Negotiations for a potential contract with Türkiye will continue over the coming weeks, with the U.K. expected to manufacture 37% of each aircraft sold, the U.K. defense ministry said.
British Defense Secretary John Healey said the deal is a big step toward Türkiye buying Typhoon fighter jets, a move that would strengthen the North Atlantic Treaty Organization’s collective defense and the industrial bases of both countries.
Türkiye, a member of the NATO, has sought to purchase Eurofighter jets since 2023, but the talks stumbled because of Germany’s reluctance to approve an export license due to concerns over some elements of Ankara’s foreign policy.
The new German government has signaled it is willing to go ahead with the deal, two people familiar with the talks said.