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Prime ministers

UK to Build on £8 Billion Deal to Sell 20 Typhoon Jets to Turkey

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Sir Keir Starmer, the UK's Prime Minister, has praised workers at jet production firm BAE Systems in Warton for their work on the £8 billion deal to sell 20 Typhoon jets to Turkey. The deal, signed during a visit to Ankara, marks the largest fighter jet deal in almost 20 years and is expected to support thousands of British jobs. The agreement represents a boost for Nato security, as the Typhoons will now be interoperable with Turkey's military capabilities.

Key Takeaways:

  • The £8 billion deal to sell 20 Typhoon jets to Turkey is the largest fighter jet deal in almost 20 years, with the first delivery expected in 2030.
  • The deal will support nearly 6,000 jobs at BAE Systems plants in Warton and Samlesbury, as well as over 1,100 jobs in the South West of England and 800 jobs in Scotland.
  • The programme also supports 37% of the production of Eurofighter jets, which are produced in a partnership between the UK, Germany, Spain, and Italy.
  • The UK has praised the Turkish military for being "world class" and has underscored the importance of interoperability between the two countries' military capabilities.
  • Amnesty International has expressed concern over the human rights record of Turkey and urged the Prime Minister to question the country's human rights record during a visit to Ankara.
  • The deal represents a significant contribution to Nato security, as the Typhoons will now be interoperable with Turkey's military capabilities.

Statistics:

  • £8 billion: the value of the deal to sell 20 Typhoon jets to Turkey
  • 20: the number of Typhoon jets to be sold to Turkey
  • 2030: the expected delivery date of the new jets
  • 6,000: the number of jobs directly supported by the Typhoon programme in the UK
  • 1,100: the number of jobs supported in the South West of England
  • 800: the number of jobs supported in Scotland
  • 37%: the proportion of Eurofighter jet production that takes place in the UK
  • 40: the original number of jets reported to be included in the deal
  • 20: the actual number of jets included in the deal, according to the Prime Minister's spokesman

Sources:

  • Press association (PA)
  • The Liverpool Echo (Andrew Teebay)
  • Amnesty International (Polly Truscott)

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