BAE Systems Chief Executive Praises Rapid Advancements in Turkiye's Eurofighter Typhoon Discussion Negotiations
The British multinational defence, security, and aerospace company, BAE Systems, has announced plans to ramp up production of the Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jets to meet Turkey's potential order of up to 40 aircraft within a span of 2 to 3 years. This decision comes after a memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed between Turkey and the United Kingdom, allowing Turkey to operate Eurofighter Typhoon fighter planes.
The Eurofighter Typhoon, a multirole fighter engineered for exceptional agility and maneuverability, is a collaborative project between Airbus, BAE Systems, and Leonardo, leading aerospace and defense firms in Europe. Powered by two EJ200 turbofan engines, developed and manufactured by the EUROJET consortium, the Typhoon boasts a canard delta wing and advanced mission systems including the Captor-E active electronically scanned array radar, Defensive Aids Sub-System, an advanced mission computer, Link 16 datalink, and electro-optical sensors.
Equipped with a 27mm Mauser BK-27 cannon and available in both single-seat and twin-seat variants, the Typhoon can execute a wide range of air-to-air and air-to-ground missions. Its self-defense capability is further enhanced by electronic warfare systems, flare and chaff dispensers, and radar warning receivers.
The Typhoon can achieve supercruise, sustained supersonic flight without afterburners, and supports extensive weapons payload capacity, including advanced air-to-air missiles like Meteor, AIM-120 AMRAAM, IRIS-T, and ASRAAM, and precision-guided munitions like Brimstone, Storm Shadow, and the Paveway series, as well as cruise missiles such as Taurus.
The need for such a stopgap measure emerged due to Turkey's removal from the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program in 2019. This agreement marks a milestone in Turkey's long-standing effort to secure an interim fighter solution. Turkish National Defense Minister Yasar Guler and UK Secretary of State for Defense John Healey signed the MoU during IDEF 2025 in Istanbul.
Turkish pilots will now be able to fly Typhoons, built by a consortium of stakeholders from the UK, Germany, Italy, and Spain. The Eurofighter jets for Türkiye would be of the Tranche 4 model, assembled at BAE Systems’ UK facility, with final assembly continuing into the 2030s depending on production rates and configurations selected by the Turkish Air Force.
The order, valued around $5.6 billion, is currently under negotiation, with the exact number and configurations still under discussion. This reflects BAE Systems' readiness to expand production lines to fulfill the sizeable Turkish order promptly, showing both commercial and strategic significance.
Sources: [1] Defense News. (2025, July 23). Turkey signs MoU for Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jets. Retrieved from https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2025/07/23/turkey-signs-mou-for-eurofighter-typhoon-fighter-jets/
[2] FlightGlobal. (2025, July 23). BAE Systems to expand Eurofighter Typhoon production for Turkish order. Retrieved from https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/bae-systems-to-expand-eurofighter-typhoon-production-for-turkish-order-484501/
[5] Aviation Week. (2025, July 27). Turkey to buy Eurofighter Typhoon Tranche 4 jets. Retrieved from https://www.aviationweek.com/themes/aviationweek/products/defense-global/articles/turkey-to-buy-eurofighter-typhoon-tranche-4-jets/
- The Eurofighter Typhoon, a technological marvel conceived by Airbus, BAE Systems, and Leonardo, is destined to be assembled at BAE Systems’ UK facility for turkiye, marking significant expansion of production lines within the span of the next few years.
- As Turkey's quest for an interim fighter solution continues, Ankara stands ready to receive the advanced Eurofighter Typhoon fighter planes, equipped with state-of-the-art radar, defensive systems, and an extensive weaponry portfolio, as part of a potential order following the MoU signed with the UK in the bustling metropolis of Istanbul.
- In a bid to enhance turkey's military capabilities, the country is engaged in negotiations regarding the procurement of up to 40 Eurofighter Typhoon Tranche 4 aircraft, which will provide Turkish pilots with a formidable technology edge in both air-to-air and air-to-ground operations, forging a strategic partnership with leading European aerospace and defense powerhouses.
