IRIA News

The United Kingdom and Turkish defense ministers have signed an agreement to bolster collaboration on defense and security initiatives. The two NATO Allies have agreed to work more closely together during the meeting of defense ministers in Ankara, Turkiye, on November 23, 2023.

Turkish Defense Minister Yasar Guler and British Defense Secretary Grant Shapps signed a statement of intent on defense cooperation that aims to establish a framework for joint endeavors to strengthen security partnership.

The meeting comes days after the Turkish defense minister revealed plans to buy 40 Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jets amid long delays in its request for F-16 jets from the United States.

Turkiye-UK Defense Agreements

In Ankara, the Turkish and British defense ministers signed a statement of intent on defense cooperation. The British Defense Ministry said that “The framework for closer working to deliver additional activities that will benefit the security and prosperity of both countries and, in so doing, enhancing national, regional and international security”.

The agreement is aimed to realize closer collaboration between both countries’ defense industries, the identification of possible joint training exercises in the Mediterranean, and the exploration of security support around North Africa and the Middle East.

Today we have strengthened the alliance between the UK and Türkiye.

Signing a blueprint for a deeper defence partnership that will make both our nations safer, as the world around us becomes more volatile and contested. pic.twitter.com/EC08tdO28o

— Rt Hon Grant Shapps MP (@grantshapps) November 23, 2023

“Türkiye stands at the crossroads of three continents and, at a time of such global instability, their influence cannot be underestimated. The agreement we’ve signed will see our relationship go from strength-to-strength and enhance our nations’ defense and security co-operation,” Shapps said in his first face-to-face meeting with Turkish counterpart Yasar Guler.

Shapps welcomed the progress made on Sweden’s accession to NATO and hoped to see Turkish ratification through parliament as soon as possible. He also recognized Turkiye’s efforts for the Black Sea Grain Initiatives to enable the export of millions of tons of Ukrainian grain to nations who need it most. The two sides also discussed Russia’s war in Ukraine and Turkiye reiterated our support for the territorial integrity of Ukraine.

Turkish Defense Minister Yaşar Güler called the United Kingdom as “an important ally and strategic partner of Turkey”. The Turkish defense minister said that their talks were held in a “friendly and constructive environment” which he hoped would further strengthen the relations between the two countries.

Amidst the discussions on bilateral and regional defense and security issues, the two sides expressed determination to further strengthen bilateral military cooperation.

Turkiye seeking Eurofighter jets

During the meetings, the Turkish defense minister expressed his country’s interest in expanding collaboration with Britain in Turkish-made 5th-generation fighter jet named ‘KAAN’ (TF-X) and also Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jets.

“We want to develop our existing cooperation with the United Kingdom in many areas, especially our national combat aircraft KAAN, and in new areas such as Eurofighter Typhoon warplanes,” Guler stated.

Confirming that the TF-X Project and Turkey’s Eurofighter Typhoon procurement request were also discussed during the meeting, Minister Shapps said: “We discussed many of our mutual cooperation areas and relations.” He added that the UK and Turkiye are “friends in good times and bad times, for better and for worse.”

Turkey began talks with European states to purchase Eurofighter jets, jointly developed by four European nations, all NATO allies, Spain, Italy, Germany, and the UK, amid continued delays in its request for F-16 jets from the United States.

Turkish Defense Minister Yasar Guler has confirmed the development citing Germany’s apparent objection. “We want to buy Eurofighters. It is a very effective aircraft … Both the UK and Spain say ‘yes,’ and now they are making efforts to persuade Germany” the minister told a parliamentary hearing in Ankara, according to state-run Anadolu Agency.

Until 2019, Turkey was on track to receive about 100 advanced F-35 jets. However, Washington removed Ankara from the F-35 program after Turkiye purchased the S-400 surface-to-air missile system from Russia despite repeated warnings from the U.S. administration and concerns that the system would endanger the security of U.S. military technology. The purchase of the Russian system also resulted in sanctions on Turkiye under the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA).

Separately in October 2021, Turkiye requested the $20 billion sale of 40 F-16 fighter jets from the United States and 79 modernization kits for its existing aircraft, but there has since been little progress on the procurement. U.S. President Joe Biden’s administration has stated its support for the sale, however, many in the U.S. Congress have objected the sale, citing Turkey’s aggressive stance toward NATO ally Greece, Ankara’s poor human rights record, and Turkish Parliament delaying ratification of Sweden’s NATO membership bid.

Turkish defense analysts believe that F-16s are the first choice for the Turkish Air Force but considering prolonged delays and the risk of unfavorable response from the U.S., the Eurofighter Typhoon jets are considered the most suitable alternatives to F-16s.