UK and Turkey sign agreement on Eurofighter Typhoon maintenance

On March 25, Turkish Minister of National Defense Yasar Guler and UK Secretary of State for Defence John Healey met in London to sign a technical and operational support agreement for Turkey's Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jets. This agreement follows an initial purchase contract signed in October 2025 regarding the acquisition of 20 aircraft, equipment, and munitions. The sale was previously signaled during UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer's visit to Turkey on October 27, 2024, in the presence of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The purchase is part of Turkey's effort to modernize its air force, as the nation prepares for the eventual retirement of its F-16 fleet in the 2030s. Turkey's pursuit of alternative aircraft follows the suspension of a plan to modernize its F-16s through U.S. cooperation in November 2024, stemming from previous issues regarding the F-35 program. Both nations have expressed a long-term commitment to enhancing their defense industry cooperation. The agreement is specifically designed to ensure the ongoing maintenance and operational readiness of the incoming fleet.