Turkey and the UK are expected to sign a provisional agreement for Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jets on Tuesday, according to sources who spoke to Middle East Eye.

The agreement is due to be signed by UK Defence Secretary John Healey during his visit to the IDEF arms fair in Istanbul.

Ankara has been in talks with the UK, the lead nation in the Eurofighter consortium, since 2023, over the procurement of the fighter jets.

In 2024, the Turks overcame a German veto that was preventing the sale from taking place.

Two sources familiar with the matter said Healey’s visit signals the deal is ready to be signed.

Middle East Eye reached out to UK officials for comment on Healey’s visit but received no definitive response as to whether an agreement was forthcoming.

A separate source cautioned that while the principal agreement marks significant progress, the final price tag for the jets – reported to number 40 – could still be subject to negotiation.

Accelerated defence procurement

Earlier this year, the UK floated an initial price of around $12bn for 40 jets, which Ankara considered expensive.

It remains unclear whether the two sides have reached consensus on pricing.

Other points of negotiation include Turkey’s demand for technology transfer associated with the planes and for the initiation of pilot training.

Turkish pilots have never previously flown European-made fighter jets, as Ankara traditionally operates US made F-16 aircraft and others.

The proposed deal would include the latest model of the Eurofighter Typhoon, known as Tranche 4, featuring advanced avionics and radar systems.

Turkey’s air force is rapidly becoming outdated and urgently needs a stop-gap solution until its domestically produced Kaan fifth-generation fighter jet enters service in 2028.

To speed up delivery, Ankara is also looking to acquire some second-hand Eurofighters from Gulf nations, such as Qatar.

Despite Turkey’s reservations about the price, a Turkish defence industry source told Middle East Eye that rising regional tensions – especially between Israel and Iran, along with recent Israeli air strikes on Damascus last week – are pushing Ankara to speed up defence procurements.

Some in Ankara, including senior officials, have argued that Turkey should instead aim to finalise its F-35 deal with the US.

They want Ankara to secure immediate delivery of six jets that were withheld by Washington after Turkey was removed from the F-35 programme over its purchase of Russian-made S-400 air defence systems.

https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/uk-minister-sign-provisional-eurofighter-deal-turkey