Sir Keir Starmer has announced a major new defence deal with Turkey, which he claims will bring in billions and boost jobs in Britain. The PM described the new deal as a “win for British workers” as well as boosting NATO by increasing cooperation between the two military partners.

Turkey has placed an £8 billion order for new UK Typhoon fighter jets, its first since 2017, which the government says will help sustain the 20,000-strong British military manufacturing workforce. Sir Keir said the deal will be a major boost for NATO’s strength in a “key region”, close to Russia, and enhance the defence group’s “interoperability between both our air forces.” Announcing the new pact, Sir Keir said: “This landmark agreement with Türkiye is a win for British workers, a win for our defence industry, and a win for NATO security.

“At either ends of Europe, the UK and Türkiye are vital to tackling the challenges of our time and this will allow our Armed Forces to work even closer together as we deter threats and protect our national interests.

“Delivering highly skilled, well-paid jobs, including in Warton, Edinburgh and Bristol for years to come, this is yet another example of our Plan for Change in action, driving renewal and opportunity up and down the country.”

Sir Keir was in Turkey today to sign the deal, visiting the Turkish military and RAF Typhoon pilots.

He also laid a wreath at the Anitkabir Ataturk Mausoleum, before heading to Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s presidential palace to finalise the deal.

It comes after Norway selected Britain to build new Type 26 naval frigates for them, boosting Britain’s economy by a further £10 billion.

More than a third of each aircraft will be manufactured in Britain, with the rest produced by Eurofighter Partner Nations, and should be delivered to Ankora in 2030.

Defence Secretary John Healey, who travelled with the PM to Turkey today, said the news is “another major export deal for the UK and is the biggest jet exports deal in a generation”.

“It will pump billions of pounds into our economy and keep British Typhoon production lines turning long into the future. This deal goes far beyond the procurement of aircraft. It is the leading edge of the growing defence and industrial partnership between our two nations.

“Türkiye is an important NATO ally and the gatekeeper to the Black Sea. By equipping them with top-of-the-range Typhoon fighter jets, this deal will strengthen NATO deterrence and help make us all safer.

“I’m determined this government will make defence an engine for growth across the UK.”