Turkey’s UK-led negotiations for the purchase of Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jets include not only the purchase of the aircraft, but also a comprehensive arms package that includes advanced technology missiles to enter the inventory. Sources told Reuters that this deal , worth about £ 8 billion, includes critical munitions such as MBDA-produced Meteor air-to-air missiles and Brimstone air-to-ground missiles.
on 27 October 2025, following the cooperation agreement signed between President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Yaşar Güler, Minister of National Defence, announced that Turkey plans to procure a total of 44 Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jets from different sources:
“We are planning to buy 20 Eurofighter Typhoons from the UK and 12 each from Qatar and Oman.”
Critical Arms Components of the Treaty
The source informing Reuters said the following about the details of the UK package of 20 aircraft:
- Meteor Beyond Visual Visibility Air-Air Missile (BVRAAM): The most important element of next-generation and long-range air combat.
- Advanced Short Range Air-Air Missile: Critical for close-range engagements.
- Brimstone Air-Ground Missile: Ammunition that stands out with its precision and multi-target hitting capability.
The inspection of Eurofighter aircraft by Yaşar Güler, the Minister of National Defence, and Keir Starmer, the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, at Mürted Airfield Command was an important development showing that the agreement has become concrete.
MBDA Meteor: Game Changer in Air Combat
Meteor, developed in partnership with six countries under the leadership of MBDA, is known for having the largest escape impossibility zone compared to existing medium-range missiles.
- Propulsion System: The Ramjet propulsion engine provides continuous thrust until it reaches the target. This allows the missile to maintain high manoeuvrability in the final stage and neutralise target evasive manoeuvres.
- Technological Superiority: Effective in all weather conditions with active radar seeker and network-centric capabilities.
- Integration: The Eurofighter Typhoon can be integrated into existing aircraft such as the Rafale and Gripen, as well as the F-35 and KF-21 platforms.
- Lethality: Particle-impact warhead and bothimpact and RF proximity fuzes maximise combat effectiveness.
- Range: It has a range of approximately 200 km.
| Technical Specifications | Meteor Air-Air Missile |
| Weight | 190kg |
| Length | 3.7 m |
| Thrust | Ramjet (Continuous Propulsion) |
| Range | About 200 kilometres |
Brimstone Precision and Multiple Target Engagement Capability
The rocket-propelled, radar-guided Brimstone missile is epitomised by the Royal Air Force for its long-range interception capability, particularly against armoured and high-speed targets.
- Operational Provenance: Operationally deployed in the Afghanistan, Libya and Iraq conflicts against static and moving/manoeuvring targets.
- Flexibility and Precision: Brimstone can perform “surgical” interventions in time-critical missions and offers the ability to hit multiple targets with a single payload.
- Modes of Operation:
- Mode 1: Semi-Active Laser (SAL) guidance (static targets).
- Mode 2: SAL and millimetre wave radar guidance (fast moving complex targets).
- Mode 3: At-Unut and simultaneous multiple target engagement.
- Platform Integration: After providing significant support on the Tornado GR4, it has also been integrated into platforms such as the Eurofighter Typhoon and MQ-9B UAV.
| Technical Specifications | Brimstone Missile |
| Weight | 50kg |
| Length | 1.8 m |
| Range | 60 km (Brimstone II) |
| Warhead | 6.3 kg tandem high explosive |
| Guidance | Millimetre wave radar laser/semi-active radar |
Cost Differences in the Agreement
The different figures announced for the deal (£8bn and £5.4bn) relate to the scope of the deal. The £8 billion mentioned by Prime Minister Keir Starmer represents the upper limit of the total package cost, which includes not only the sale of 20 aircraft, but also MBDA missiles, pilot training, spare parts and all integration services. the £5.4bn represents the core cost of the initial agreement.
With this comprehensive procurement, Turkey has taken an important step in the modernisation of its air force and is preparing to add new generation air combat capabilities to its inventory.
