BAE Systems welcomes MOU between Republic of Turkiye and UK for purchase of Typhoon aircraft

BAE Systems has welcomed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Republic of Türkiye and the UK Government relating to the potential purchase of Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft. 

The agreement was signed today by Turkish Minister of National Defence, Yasar Güler, and UK Secretary of State for Defence, John Healey, at the International Defence Industry Fair in Istanbul.

The news will be a boost for the Lancashire planemaker as Lancashire Business View reported in the latest edition BAE had invested £1bn in its facilities last year alone.

Charles Woodburn, chief executive BAE Systems, said: “This Memorandum of Understanding between the Governments of Türkiye and the UK underscores the importance of their long-standing defence co-operation through NATO and the critical role Typhoon plays in security and defence in Europe and the Middle East.”

Typhoon is a multi-role highly advanced fighter jet, in operation with nine air forces across the world, and has a reputation for its performance, reliability, availability and survivability.

The aircraft plays a key role at the heart of NATO operations and provides air policing along Europe’s eastern flank.

During 2023 and 2024, Typhoon aircraft delivered 80 per cent of operational missions conducted by the Eurofighter partner nations, Germany, Italy, Spain and the UK, underlining operators’ confidence in its performance.

BAE Systems plays a key role in the development, production and support of Typhoon aircraft for a number of air forces around the world, with much of the work carried out at the company’s aircraft making plants sites in Warton and Samlesbury.

The programme delivers significant economic value to the UK, supporting on average around 21,000 jobs, including highly skilled engineering jobs.

It is an export success story, contributing £1.4bn in exports annually and generating around £1.6bn to the economy.

BAE Systems will continue to work closely with the governments of Türkiye and the UK to formalise an agreement for procurement of Typhoon aircraft and associated supplies in due course.

It comes after Lancashire Business View featured a story about a new report showing the impact of BAE Systems is making across Lancashire.

Research by Oxford Economics has revealed the powerful impact of the ‘defence dividend’ across the county. 

Beyond the 13,700 people directly employed by BAE Systems across Lancashire, the report shows that the UK’s leading defence company spent an estimated £190m with 210 local suppliers in 2024 and supported a further 2,400 jobs.