Defence Online

Multi-billion-pound support deal agreed as part of major UK export win

Air March 30, 2026

The United Kingdom and Türkiye have formally entered the next phase of a landmark £8 billion export agreement with the signing of a multi-billion-pound training and support contract.

Defence Secretary John Healey and Turkish Defence Minister Yaşar Güler met in London to finalise the agreement, which underpins the acquisition of British-built Typhoon fighter jets. This development follows the initial export deal secured in October 2025 and represents the largest UK fighter jet export order in nearly two decades.

For the UK defence supply chain, this contract provides significant long-term industrial certainty and identifies specific avenues for technical engagement. The agreement encompasses the comprehensive training of ten Turkish Air Force pilots and approximately 100 ground crew technicians within the UK. This training will cover critical specialisms including mechanical engineering, avionics, weapons systems, and mission systems. Beyond personnel instruction, the scope of work includes the delivery of aircraft components, spares, and support equipment, alongside the provision of high-tech training simulators and advanced electronic warfare capabilities.

Major industrial partners including BAE Systems, Leonardo UK, MBDA, Rolls-Royce, and Martin-Baker are central to the delivery of this contract. However, the economic impact extends to the wider domestic industry, with approximately 330 UK-based companies currently integrated into the Typhoon supply chain. The overall deal is projected to secure 20,000 skilled jobs across the country for the foreseeable future. British industry remains responsible for 37% of each Typhoon aircraft’s manufacture, with the remaining components produced by Eurofighter partner nations.

Regional manufacturing hubs are set to see sustained activity as a result of this agreement. BAE Systems’ facilities in Warton and Samlesbury, which directly support nearly 6,000 jobs, will oversee the production and final assembly of the Turkish aircraft. In the South West, Rolls-Royce’s Bristol site supports more than 1,100 roles, producing critical modules for the EJ200 jet engines and serving as a primary hub for engine maintenance. Furthermore, the programme supports over 800 jobs in Scotland, specifically at Leonardo’s Edinburgh facility, which manufactures the aircraft’s radar systems.

This partnership reinforces the United Kingdom’s position as a global leader in aerospace and combat air capability while strengthening NATO’s collective security on its eastern flank. For businesses operating within or seeking to enter the defence sector, the scale of this multi-billion-pound support package highlights persistent opportunities in maintenance, repair, and overhaul services, as well as the continued demand for sophisticated mission system technologies.

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Post written by: Vicky Maggiani

Vicky has worked in media for over 25 years and has a wealth of experience in editing and creating copy for a variety of sectors.