British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is set to make his first official visit to Ankara on Monday, October 27, 2025, a trip that could reshape the balance of air power in the region. According to reports from Middle East Eye, Turkish and British officials are poised to finalize a multibillion-pound deal for the sale of 40 Eurofighter Typhoon jets—a transaction years in the making and fraught with diplomatic hurdles.
The anticipation in both capitals is palpable. Starmer’s journey, confirmed by Turkey’s Communications Directorate head Burhanettin Duran, marks a pivotal moment in UK-Turkey relations and signals the conclusion of negotiations that began in 2023. For Ankara, the timing is critical: Turkey is seeking to bridge a capability gap in its air force as it awaits the arrival of its homegrown Kaan fifth-generation fighter, expected to become operational in 2028.
Negotiations over the Eurofighter Typhoon jets, a twin-engine multirole aircraft produced by a European consortium led by the UK, have not been straightforward. As reported by Turkish media and corroborated by the Associated Press, the procurement process initially stalled due to German objections. Germany, a key partner in the Eurofighter consortium alongside Italy and Spain, had blocked the sale over concerns related to regional security and arms export policies.
That impasse finally broke in 2024, when Germany lifted its veto, allowing talks to progress rapidly. By July 2025, Turkey and the UK had signed a provisional agreement for 40 jets, setting the stage for further negotiations over pricing and technical specifications. Sources told Middle East Eye that Ankara found the proposed pricing relatively steep, prompting months of back-and-forth to hammer out the details.
The structure of the deal is as complex as it is ambitious. Of the 40 Eurofighter Typhoons, 20 may be drawn directly from the Royal Air Force’s current fleet to enable faster delivery, while the remaining 20 would be produced later and customized to Turkey’s requirements. The deal is expected to cover the latest Tranche 4 variant, which boasts upgraded radar and avionics, offering a significant leap in capability for the Turkish Air Force.
But the agreement goes beyond brand-new aircraft. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, during a recent regional tour that included stops in Kuwait, Qatar, and Oman, has been actively negotiating the acquisition of used Eurofighter jets from Qatar and Oman. The Associated Press reported Erdoğan’s remarks: “We discussed the ongoing negotiations with the Qatari and Omani sides regarding the purchase of Eurofighter warplanes. The talks on this technically detailed matter are progressing positively.”
In fact, the first Eurofighters expected to enter Turkey’s inventory will likely come from Qatar, with those from Oman set to undergo modernization by the manufacturer before delivery. As NTV and other Turkish outlets have detailed, the UK will also prioritize Ankara’s order by delivering aircraft currently being built for the RAF, ensuring that Turkey’s urgent needs are met without delay.
To underscore the deal’s significance, Starmer reportedly sent two Eurofighter jets to Ankara ahead of his visit, a gesture not lost on Turkish officials. According to Middle East Eye, this move was meant to demonstrate London’s commitment to the agreement, though it remains unclear whether the jets will stay in Turkey or were flown in for symbolic purposes.
The diplomatic choreography around Starmer’s visit has been striking. Turkish President Erdoğan even postponed a cabinet meeting in Ankara to accommodate the British prime minister, according to sources cited by Middle East Eye. During their talks, Starmer and Erdoğan are expected to focus not only on the Eurofighter deal but also on broader strategic relations, including regional flashpoints like the Russia-Ukraine war and the reconstruction of Gaza.
The Eurofighter Typhoon itself is a formidable piece of machinery. Designed for both air-to-air and air-to-surface missions, the Typhoon has evolved over the years into a highly agile, combat-ready platform. Its delta wing design and twin engines allow it to excel in dogfights, while its advanced avionics make it a versatile tool for modern warfare. As Turkish officials have noted, their pilots—who have traditionally flown US-made F-16s—will undergo training and adaptation programs once the agreement is signed. The first Turkish Eurofighter squadron is expected to become operational soon after.
Turkey’s push to acquire these jets is part of a broader effort to strengthen its air force amid what officials describe as rising regional threats. Despite being home to NATO’s second-largest army, Turkey has faced arms embargoes from allies in the past, prompting a determined drive to develop domestic defense capabilities. Over the past two decades, Ankara has made significant strides, producing its own drones, missiles, and naval vessels. Nonetheless, the need for advanced fighter jets has become acute as Turkey seeks to reduce foreign dependence while maintaining a credible deterrent.
President Erdoğan has been candid about his country’s ambitions. As reported by Anadolu Agency, he stated, “We want to conclude these rapidly and, God willing, make our Air Force much stronger. Our Air Force will become much stronger with these jets.” The urgency is understandable: Turkish officials plan to acquire a total of 120 fighter jets—including 40 Eurofighters, 40 US-made F-16s, and 40 F-35s—as a transitional fleet until the Kaan fighter is ready.
Turkey’s quest for the F-35, however, has been complicated. The country was removed from the US-led program in 2019 after purchasing Russian-made S-400 missile defense systems, a move Washington said posed security risks. Turkish officials, nevertheless, continue to seek reentry into the program, with Erdoğan raising the issue in meetings with US leaders.
For the UK, the Eurofighter deal is not just a commercial win but a strategic one. As the lead nation in the Eurofighter consortium, Britain stands to gain economically while reinforcing its defense ties with a key NATO partner. Airbus Defence and Space CEO Michael Schoellhorn, speaking to Anadolu Agency, expressed optimism: “Talks on selling Eurofighter jets to Türkiye are approaching the final stages, and I’m very optimistic the negotiations will soon conclude successfully.”
The agreement also involves a separate maintenance and modernization pact for the second-hand jets from Qatar and Oman, adding another layer of complexity to the arrangement. Once the signatures are inked, Turkish pilots will begin training on the new aircraft, cementing a new era for the Turkish Air Force.
As the world watches, Monday’s meeting in Ankara could mark the beginning of a new chapter in European-Turkish defense cooperation. If all goes as planned, the roar of Eurofighter engines over Turkish skies may soon become a symbol of both technological prowess and diplomatic achievement.