There’s been a huge boost for BAE Systems’ majority North West-based Typhoon team as the UK Government announced a c.£5.4 billion agreement with the Republic of Türkiye for the purchase of 20 Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft and an associated weapons and integration package, sustaining more than 20,000 highly skilled jobs across the UK supply chain.
Under the agreement, BAE Systems will manufacture major airframe components, conduct the final assembly of the aircraft and lead the weapons integration at its sites in Lancashire, generating work for hundreds of companies across the UK supply chain. The weapons package will be primarily provided by MBDA.
The agreement announced today means the Turkish Air Force will become the tenth air force to operate Typhoons and reflects the crucial role the planes are providing in international air defence.
BAE Systems chief executive, Charles Woodburn, said: “Türkiye’s procurement of Typhoon marks the start of a new chapter in our longstanding relationship with this important NATO ally and reinforces the outstanding operational support the aircraft continues to deliver across Europe and the Middle East as a fundamental pillar of defence and security.
“Typhoon is an export success story and demonstrates how investment in defence can fuel significant economic growth and returns across the UK. Today’s announcement extends Typhoon production and preserves crucial sovereign skills which underpin the UK’s defence and security.”
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Key highlights
- Türkiye becomes the tenth operator alongside: UK, Germany, Spain, Italy, Austria, Oman, Qatar, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia
- Typhoon is widely regarded as one of the UK’s most successful defence export programmes contributing £1.4bn in exports annually
- The programme generates £1.6bn to the UK economy each year
- More than 20,000 jobs across the UK are supported by the Typhoon programme, including highly skilled sovereign engineering roles, with the majority based in the North West of England
- Typhoon production in the UK now extends into the 2030s
- From the UK Government’s original £12bn investment, the programme has already returned more than £30bn to the UK economy
- The deal includes a comprehensive weapons package, including the MBDA Meteor beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile
- Under the agreement, BAE Systems anticipates that it will recognise c.£4.6 billion including through its shareholding in MBDA.
BAE Systems is the UK lead on the Eurofighter programme with 37.5% workshare, responsible for design, production, upgrade, sustainment and export of Typhoon.
