Rs 913000000000: Pakistan’s close friend signs mega deal with UK, to acquire this powerful weapon, likely to be delivered in…

Countries throughout the world are slowly expanding and modernizing their militaries, investing in new fighter jets, naval ships, missiles, and defense technologies to enhance their strategic posture and respond to security challenges, both regional and global.

Who is signing the mega deal with the UK?

Turkey and the United Kingdom have reached a significant fighter jet deal. The office of British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced the £8 billion (USD 10.7 billion) agreement in Turkey, under which Turkey will receive 20 Eurofighter Typhoon jets from the United Kingdom.

What powerful weapon is this country acquiring?

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer signed the deal on Monday in Ankara after a meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. The purchase of these formidable jets is expected to raise eyebrows in the region, particularly for countries like Israel, Greece, and Cyprus, which are closely aligned with India(BHARAT). Relations between Turkey and these nations have historically been tense.

According to the Al Jazeera report, the UK Ministry of Defence referred to the deal as the “biggest fighter jet deal in a generation”, and President Erdogan described it as “a new symbol of the strategic relations” between the two close allies.

While in Ankara, Starmer highlighted that the agreement helped to strengthen NATO, insisting on the strategic importance of both Turkey and the UK as member nations. The British prime minister stated, “This is the southeast flank of NATO, and so having that capability locked in with the United Kingdom is really important for NATO as well.”

When is the delivery of these fighter jets expected?

Starmer noted that the first delivery of Typhoon jets from Monday’s deal is scheduled to arrive in Ankara by 2030. It is to be noted that Turkey and the UK signed a preliminary agreement in July for the delivery of 40 Typhoon jets, a plan that received approval from the other Eurofighter consortium members: Germany, Italy, and Spain.

Speaking at the press conference in Ankara, Starmer said the acquisition of 20 Typhoon fighter jets will enhance defense cooperation between the two nations and will help to stimulate economic growth in the United Kingdom and Turkey.

STORY HIGHLIGHTS

1. Starmer noted that the first delivery of Typhoon jets from Monday’s deal is scheduled to arrive in Ankara by 2030.
2. It is to be noted that Turkey and the UK signed a preliminary agreement in July for the delivery of 40 Typhoon jets.
3. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer signed the deal on Monday in Ankara after a meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
4. Last year, Turkiye announced a $7bn order for 40 F-16s with the United States.

In an effort to push back against regional competitors such as Israel, the Turkish Ministry of Defence stated that it plans to buy 12 more Typhoon jets each from Qatar and Oman. Last year, Turkiye announced a $7bn order for 40 F-16s with the United States, an order that has been delayed.