UK and Turkey sign multi-billion-pound air defence deal

LONDON: Britain and ​Turkey on Wednesday ​signed a multi-billion-pound agreement ​for a major new training and support contract as part of its ‌8 -billion-pound ($10.73 ⁠billion) ⁠Typhoon fighter jet deal the ​two countries concluded last year.

The new contract ​covers UK-based training for Turkish pilots and ground crew as ​Turkey moves towards ⁠operating ‌its first batch of ​British-built ​jets, Britain's Ministry of ⁠Defence said in a statement.

Defence firms ​including BAE Systems, Leonardo ​UK , MBDA, Rolls-Royce and Martin-Baker will supply components and training equipment.


Defence Secretary John Healey and Turkish Defence Minister Yasar ‌Guler signed the agreement in London, which ​the British government ​said ⁠marked the next phase of Turkey's entry into the Eurofighter programme and ​reinforcing NATO's combat air capability on its eastern flank.