The Turkish Ministry of Defense said Thursday the country will pay about £5.4 billion for 20 newly manufactured Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jets from the United Kingdom, after an earlier announcement by British Prime Minister Keir Starmer that put the deal’s value at £8 billion attracted criticism.
The ministry spokesman said at a weekly press briefing that the amount covers 20 newly produced Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft, aircraft mission equipment and various types and quantities of ammunition under a supply contract signed with the UK on October 27.
The clarification followed criticism from opposition lawmaker Turhan Çömez of the İYİ (Good) Party, who accused the government of overpaying by billions of pounds for the aircraft.
Çömez said Germany purchased 20 jets three weeks earlier for £3.3 billion and argued that Turkey would be paying £235 million more per aircraft.
“Germany will pay 165 million pounds per plane, while we are paying 400 million,” Çömez wrote on social media. “That’s an extra 263 billion Turkish lira for 20 aircraft. Is there anyone from the ruling party who can explain this?”
During Starmer’s visit to Ankara on October 27, the two countries announced a Eurofighter Typhoon procurement agreement after talks with President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
Starmer described the deal as a sign of deepening defense cooperation between the two NATO allies.
British Defense Procurement Minister Luke Pollard welcomed the agreement and said it would strengthen bilateral ties and could serve as an example for NATO allies.
Pollard said Turkey’s acquisition of Typhoon jets would enhance security for both countries and could open opportunities for joint defense production.
Pollard also noted interest in Turkey’s domestic fighter project, KAAN, and said it could be an area for future cooperation between the Turkish and British defense industries.
The Eurofighter Typhoon is a multirole fighter developed by a European consortium that includes the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy and Spain.