Turkey has reached a deal with the UK government to for the purchase of 20 Eurofighter Typhoon tactical jets.
The £5.4 billion ($7.2 billion) agreement was announced on 27 October by UK manufacturer BAE Systems, which will provide major airframe components and complete final assembly of the Typhoon fighters.
Once fielded, the Turkish air force will become the 10th operator of the twin-engined delta-wing fighter, joining partner nations Germany, Spain, Italy, and the UK, plus export customers Austria, Oman, Qatar, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia.
“Turkey’s procurement of Typhoon marks the start of a new chapter in our longstanding relationship with this important NATO ally and reinforces the outstanding operational support the aircraft continues to deliver across Europe and the Middle East as a fundamental pillar of defence and security,” says BAE’s chief executive Charles Woodburn.
Also President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan also confirmed that they would acquire some used fighter jets of the same model from Qatar and Oman as a quick solution to enhance the air force’s capabilities.