DefenseUK and Turkey Sign Eurofighter Deal at IDEF 2025
On Wednesday, July 23, during the 17th International Defence Industry Fair (IDEF 2025) in Istanbul, the United Kingdom and Turkey signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to advance the potential sale of up to 40 Eurofighter Typhoon jets to the Turkish Air Force.
The agreement reflects the strengthening of bilateral defence ties and paves the way for Turkey to join the community of Typhoon operators — currently made up of NATO allies Germany, the UK, Italy, and Spain.
The aircraft is expected to significantly enhance Turkey’s air combat capabilities while the air force awaits deliveries of the indigenous KAAN fighter, under development by Turkish Aerospace Industries.
The upcoming acquisition agreement is a relief for the Eurofighter program, which relies on new orders to keep its assembly line active. Furthermore, it serves as an alternative to Turkey after the US vetoed the supply of the 5th-generation F-35 fighters.
In an official statement, the Turkish Ministry of Defence emphasized: “Welcoming Türkiye as a Typhoon operator would build on the bonds of friendship developed over many decades between key NATO Allies and would be a significant step towards enhancing Türkiye’s advanced combat air capabilities.”
Signed on the opening day of IDEF 2025 — one of the world’s foremost defence trade events — the MoU sets the foundation for further industrial and strategic cooperation between the two countries. Both parties expressed confidence in finalizing the procurement deal soon, marking the beginning of a new phase in UK-Türkiye defence collaboration.
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