The Government has secured a major export deal with Türkiye for 20 Typhoon fighter jets worth up to £8 billion the biggest UK defence export order in a generation.
The deal marks a major success for Britain’s defence industry, supporting 20,000 jobs across the UK, including at production sites in Scotland, Lancashire and Bristol, and through more than 330 UK-based suppliers.
This is the first export order for Typhoon jets since 2017 and the largest UK fighter export deal since 2007. It strengthens NATO’s defence capabilities while delivering a huge boost to Britain’s economy and manufacturing base.
The agreement follows hot on the heels of the £10 billion Type 26 frigate deal with Norway earlier this month — further proof that Labour’s new Defence Industrial Strategy is delivering growth, good jobs and stronger national security.
Through the creation of the Office of Defence Exports, the Labour Government has taken a more strategic approach to global defence trade, ensuring UK firms can compete internationally while keeping high-skilled jobs at home.
Amanda Martin, MP for Portsmouth North said: “This deal is a huge win for Britain for our defence industry, our economy, and for skilled workers right across the country.
It shows that under Labour, the UK is once again competing and winning on the world stage. Our engineers and manufacturers are second to none, and this £8 billion agreement will keep thousands of people in good, secure jobs while strengthening our NATO alliance.
Here in Portsmouth, I know how important these high-skilled, high-value defence jobs are for local families and for our economy. Labour is proving that by backing British industry and innovation, we can deliver growth and security hand in hand.”
Defence Secretary John Healey MP said: “This is another game-changing deal for the UK, one that pumps billions into our economy, sustains thousands of jobs, and strengthens the security of our allies. Labour is backing British industry and ensuring that defence delivers for our national economy.”
More than a third of each Typhoon fighter jet is manufactured in the UK, with final assembly also taking place domestically. The programme continues to support vital work such as RAF air policing, homeland security, and international counter-terror operations.
