Doha: President of Turkiye Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Prime Minister of the United Kingdom (UK) Keir Starmer signed a cooperation agreement concerning Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jets, in a move that strengthens bilateral military partnership and enhances the capabilities of the Turkish Air Force. Signed at the Presidential Complex in Ankara, following a closed meeting between Erdogan and Starmer, the agreement aims to enhance defense and military cooperation and expand industrial partnerships in the aerospace sector.

According to Qatar News Agency, at a joint press conference, President Erdogan expressed that this cooperation opens the door for joint defense projects. The Turkish President regarded the agreement as a new milestone in Turkish-UK strategic relations as close allies, highlighting his intention to increase trade volume with the UK to USD 30 billion in the first phase, and subsequently to USD 40 billion.

Prime Minister Starmer stated that the UK and Turkiye were announcing a strategic partnership and the first framework for bilateral cooperation between the two nations. He emphasized that the Eurofighter Typhoon cooperation agreement would bolster security within NATO and elevate the level of bilateral collaboration in defense industries.

Valued at USD 10.74 billion and involving the purchase of 20 Eurofighter Typhoon jets, the agreement allows Turkiye to modernize its air fleet and enhance its combat capabilities. This development is part of Ankara's efforts to update its military technologies and address regional challenges, particularly amid the growing air arms race in the Middle East.