Latest news with #Typhoon
The National
an hour ago
- Business
- The National
UK and Turkey set for Typhoon fighter jet deal
A major sale of Typhoon jets to Turkey is set to go ahead after an agreement was struck on Wednesday with the British government, and with Germany finally clearing objections to the deal. In the absence of an F-16 fighter export agreement with the US, Ankara will now progress with the purchase of up to 40 of the battle-proven aircraft that will be assembled in the UK. The move will also save the BAE Systems production line of Typhoons in Warton, Lancashire, that has been wound down with no further orders and its staff posted elsewhere. After two years of talks, UK Defence Secretary John Healey and Turkish Defence Minister Yaşar Guler signed a preliminary agreement on building the fighters, at the International Defence Industry Fair in Istanbul on Wednesday. Negotiations to finalise an arms deal will continue over the coming weeks, but the UK will hope to secure its first major export order for Typhoons since 2017. The highly capable fighter-bomber is flown by several Gulf states, with squadrons fielded by Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar and Bahrain and a total of about 700 Typhoons built to date. Mr Healey said the preliminary agreement was 'a big step towards Turkey buying UK Typhoon fighter jets' and that the jets would 'strengthen Nato's collective defence'. Charles Woodburn, chief executive of BAE Systems which assembles the aircraft, agreed that the move underscored the importance of co-operation in Nato and 'the critical role Typhoon plays in security and defence in Europe and the Middle East'. The RAF's Typhoon, regarded as an agile aircraft, has seen active service across the Middle East, primarily targeting ISIS during its insurgency in Syria and Iraq. It initially saw action during the 2011 bombing campaign in Libya and is capable of carrying several ground attack weapons including the Storm Shadow cruise and Brimstone precision missiles. The Turkey deal, which could be worth $5.6 billion, had been held up by the previous German government's reluctance to approve export licences, allegedly for political reasons following Ankara's treatment of opposition figures. But Chancellor Friedrich Merz's new government had cleared the way for it following a positive decision by the federal security council earlier this week. Further progress had been made after British Prime Minister Keir Starmer held a phone call with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Tuesday, which Turkish government officials said had gone positively. After the announcement of Wednesday's preliminary agreement, Mr Starmer said that 'signing a multibillion export deal with Turkey' will sustain 20,000 UK jobs as well as 'keep us and our allies safer during these uncertain times'. Mr Erdogan said developments in the defence sector would positively contribute to co-operation between the sides, who are both Nato members. A defence industry source told The Nationa l that while staff had been allocated elsewhere from the Warton site, BAE had 'been in this position before' when orders had dried up and it would be straightforward to stand up the production line again if the Turkey deal succeeded. The UK Ministry of Defence also said the potential Typhoon exports would strengthen Turkey's 'advanced combat capabilities'. As the second-largest military force in the Nato alliance, the addition of 40 highly capable fighter jets will provide Turkey with an important upgrade to its air force. The $110 million warplanes are built by a consortium of Germany, Britain, Italy and Spain, represented by Airbus, BAE Systems and Leonardo, with the main production line in the UK.
Saudi Gazette
an hour ago
- Business
- Saudi Gazette
UK and Turkey sign deal for Eurofighter jets as Ankara aims to upgrade air force
ISTANBUL — The UK and Turkey signed a preliminary agreement on Wednesday for the sale of Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jets to Turkey, marking a significant step in Ankara's efforts to modernise its air fleet. Turkish Defence Minister Yaşar Güler and his British counterpart, John Healey, inked a memorandum of understanding during a defence industry fair in Istanbul, Turkey's Ministry of National Defence said. NATO member Turkey has long aimed to buy 40 Eurofighter jets, which are built by a consortium of British, German and Italian companies. Germany reportedly initially opposed the sale but later reversed its position. Britain led negotiations on behalf of the consortium. A Turkish defence ministry statement said the memorandum takes the two countries "one step closer to a full agreement on the Typhoon." "Both Ministers welcome signature as a positive step towards bringing Turkey into the Typhoon club and share a mutual ambition to conclude the necessary arrangements as soon as possible," it added. Turkish officials have said that they are still negotiating over pricing and technical terms, saying that they have received an initial offer and expect to submit a counter-proposal. Turkey is also seeking to return to the US-led F-35 fighter jet programme, from which the country was ousted in 2019 following its purchase of Russian-made S-400 missile defence systems. The US said the systems were incompatible with NATO tech and posed a risk to the F-35s. Turkey is also developing a domestic fifth-generation fighter jet, the KAAN, which is slated to be operational in 2028. — Euronews
North Wales Chronicle
an hour ago
- Business
- North Wales Chronicle
Healey signs agreement paving way for export of Typhoon jets to Turkey
John Healey and Turkish counterpart Yaşar Guler signed a memorandum of understanding at the International Defence Industry Fair in Istanbul. It comes after the German government reportedly cleared the path for the delivery of 40 Typhoon Eurofighter jets to Turkey. 'Today's agreement is a big step towards Turkiye buying UK Typhoon fighter jets,' Mr Healey said. 'It shows this government's determination to secure new defence deals, building on our relationships abroad to deliver for British working people. 'Equipping Turkiye with Typhoons would strengthen Nato's collective defence, and boost both our countries' industrial bases by securing thousands of skilled jobs across the UK for years to come.' More than a third of each aircraft will be manufactured in the UK, with final assembly taking place at the BAE Systems site in Lancashire. The Typhoon jet programme is a partnership with Germany, Spain and Italy. Germany's security council has signed off on a Turkish request to buy the jets, which will use German parts, Der Spiegel reported, and has informed Turkish and Greek leaders of the decision. The programme supports 20,000 jobs in the UK. The RAF's own fleet of Typhoons is being upgraded over the next 15 years.
Leader Live
an hour ago
- Business
- Leader Live
Healey signs agreement paving way for export of Typhoon jets to Turkey
John Healey and Turkish counterpart Yaşar Guler signed a memorandum of understanding at the International Defence Industry Fair in Istanbul. It comes after the German government reportedly cleared the path for the delivery of 40 Typhoon Eurofighter jets to Turkey. 'Today's agreement is a big step towards Turkiye buying UK Typhoon fighter jets,' Mr Healey said. 'It shows this government's determination to secure new defence deals, building on our relationships abroad to deliver for British working people. 'Equipping Turkiye with Typhoons would strengthen Nato's collective defence, and boost both our countries' industrial bases by securing thousands of skilled jobs across the UK for years to come.' More than a third of each aircraft will be manufactured in the UK, with final assembly taking place at the BAE Systems site in Lancashire. The Typhoon jet programme is a partnership with Germany, Spain and Italy. Germany's security council has signed off on a Turkish request to buy the jets, which will use German parts, Der Spiegel reported, and has informed Turkish and Greek leaders of the decision. The programme supports 20,000 jobs in the UK. The RAF's own fleet of Typhoons is being upgraded over the next 15 years.
2 hours ago
- Business
Turkey and Britain sign preliminary deal for Eurofighter Typhoon jets
ANKARA, Turkey -- ANKARA, Turkey (AP) — Turkey and Britain on Wednesday signed a preliminary agreement for the sale of Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jets to Turkey, a significant step in Ankara's efforts to modernize its air fleet. Turkish Defense Minister Yasar Guler and his British counterpart, John Healey, inked a memorandum of understanding during a defense industry fair in Istanbul, Turkey's Ministry of National Defense said. NATO member Turkey has long aimed to buy 40 Eurofighter jets, which are built by a consortium of British, German and Italian companies. Germany reportedly initially opposed the sale but later reversed its position. Britain led negotiations on behalf of the consortium. A Turkish defense ministry statement said the memorandum takes the two countries 'one step closer to a full agreement on the Typhoon.' 'Both Ministers welcome signature as a positive step towards bringing Turkey into the Typhoon club and share a mutual ambition to conclude the necessary arrangements as soon as possible,' it added. Turkish officials have said that they are still negotiating over pricing and technical terms, saying that they have received an initial offer and expect to submit a counter-proposal. Turkey is also seeking to return to the U.S.-led F-35 fighter jet program, from which the country was ousted in 2019, following its purchase of Russian-made S-400 missile defense systems. The U.S. said the systems posed a risk to the F-35s. Turkey is also developing a domestic fifth-generation fighter jet, the KAAN, which is slated to be operational in 2028.
