Visit of UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer to Türkiye (2025)

Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Keir Starmer’s visit to Türkiye took place in Ankara on 27 October 2025 at the invitation of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. During the visit, an agreement on cooperation regarding the Eurofighter Typhoon combat aircraft was signed between the two countries. Discussions covered defense industry trade energy migration and international security.

Start of the Visit: Arrival and Welcome in Ankara

On 27 October 2025 UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer arrived in Ankara on an official visit at the invitation of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. He was welcomed at Mürted Air Base Command by Minister of National Defense Yaşar Güler. Also present at the ceremony were UK Defence Secretary John Healey and Commander of the Royal Air Force Air Chief Marshal Harv Smyth.

The Ministry of National Defense reported that three Eurofighter Typhoon combat aircraft of the Royal Air Force were escorted into Turkish airspace by Turkish Air Force F-16s upon their arrival. The ministry stated: “F-16s of our Air Force accompanied the Eurofighter aircraft from their entry into Turkish airspace until their arrival at Mürted Air Base Command.”

Following his arrival in Ankara Prime Minister Keir Starmer inspected the three Royal Air Force Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft stationed at Mürted Air Base Command. He was accompanied during the inspection by Minister of National Defense Yaşar Güler. During the visit Starmer briefly conversed with the aircraft’s pilots and technical crews.

Visit to TUSAŞ

As part of his engagements in Ankara UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer visited the TUSAŞ facilities in Kahramankazan. According to a statement by the Ministry of National Defense Starmer traveled to TUSAŞ after the welcoming ceremony at Mürted Air Base Command accompanied by Minister Yaşar Güler where he received information about the indigenous combat aircraft KAAN.

Also present during the visit were UK Defence Secretary John Healey Commander of the Turkish Air Force Air Chief Marshal Ziya Cemal Kadıoğlu and Commander of the Royal Air Force Air Chief Marshal Harv Smyth.

Official Ceremony at the Presidential Complex

On 27 October 2025 UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer was officially welcomed at the Presidential Complex by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. Cavalry units greeted Starmer’s official vehicle on the avenue in front of the complex and accompanied it to the protocol entrance. During the ceremony the national anthems of both countries were played 21-gun salutes were fired and 16 flags representing Turkish republics along with military personnel were present.

Prime Minister Starmer greeted the Guard of Honour with the words “Hello soldier.” Following the ceremony Presidents Erdoğan and Starmer exchanged introductions of their respective delegations and posed for the press in front of the flags of Türkiye and the United Kingdom.

After the ceremony Erdoğan and Starmer held a private meeting followed by a delegation-level working meeting. The Turkish delegation included Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan Minister of National Defense Yaşar Güler Head of the Presidential Office Hasan Doğan Head of Presidential Communications Burhanettin Duran Ambassador of Türkiye to London Osman Koray Ertaş Presidential Advisor for Foreign Policy and Security Akif Çağatay Kılıç and Commander of the Turkish Air Force Air Chief Marshal Ziya Cemal Kadıoğlu. Following the working dinner the agreement on cooperation regarding the Eurofighter Typhoon combat aircraft was signed and a joint press conference was held.

Eurofighter Typhoon Cooperation Agreement

On 27 October 2025 at the Presidential Complex President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer signed an agreement on cooperation regarding the Eurofighter Typhoon combat aircraft. The signing ceremony took place after their private meeting and the delegation-level working dinner.

Under the agreement Türkiye plans to acquire a total of 44 Eurofighter Typhoon combat aircraft. Of these 20 will be sourced from the United Kingdom 12 from Qatar and 12 from Oman. Minister of National Defense Yaşar Güler stated that the aircraft to be acquired from Qatar will be delivered to Türkiye at the beginning of next year.

Statements by President Erdoğan

Following the signing of the Eurofighter Typhoon cooperation agreement President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in a press conference said: “As strategic partners and allies we maintain close dialogue on many issues beyond bilateral matters that occupy the international agenda. Today’s talks focused on our trade and defense relations. As you know the United Kingdom is among Türkiye’s largest trade and investment partners. We are determined to increase our trade volume first to 30 billion dollars and then to 40 billion dollars. We are committed to further strengthening our economic ties. Relevant institutions and organizations are taking measures including updating our free trade agreement. We are also focusing on opportunities for joint investments in third countries. We aim to establish new partnerships in the energy and defense industries. Moreover we are very pleased that a large number of UK citizens view Türkiye as a second home. We have initiated negotiations toward signing a bilateral framework document to best utilize this potential.”

Erdoğan described the agreement as “a new milestone in the strategic relations between two close allies” and stated, “The implementation arrangements regarding the procurement of Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jets were signed during inter-delegation talks. Just now, in your presence, I signed a declaration of cooperation on this matter with Prime Minister Starmer. I view this agreement as a new milestone in our strategic relations as two close allies. I thank Prime Minister Starmer and his team for the efforts undertaken by the United Kingdom under the Eurofighter Consortium. I also express my appreciation to the leaders of other allied countries within the Consortium for their constructive approach. I believe this cooperation with the United Kingdom will open doors to joint projects in the defense industry.”

Erdoğan emphasized that he had another opportunity to assess developments in Gaza and congratulated Prime Minister Starmer on the decision to recognize a Palestinian state. “We regard this decision as a courageous step toward a two-state solution. Given the approaching winter conditions, delivering humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza is of great importance. I believe we will take joint steps with the United Kingdom on this issue. We all share the responsibility to preserve the ceasefire in Gaza and prevent violations. For this, the current government in Israel must be restrained.”

During the same press conference, President Erdoğan also addressed Ukraine and Syria, stating, “We reaffirmed our common stance that this war, now entering its fourth year, must be resolved as soon as possible through a just peace. Regarding Syria, we emphasized in today’s talks that lasting stability can only be achieved through support for the Syrian government. While continuing these efforts, we underlined the urgent need to prevent attempts by internal and external actors to destabilize the country.”

Statements by Prime Minister Keir Starmer

Following the signing ceremony in Ankara, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer stated that relations between Türkiye and the United Kingdom had entered a new phase. Starmer said, “We are announcing a strategic partnership and the first bilateral framework for Türkiye-UK cooperation.” He noted that this development would deepen existing collaboration. Starmer explained that the United Kingdom views Türkiye as a country of growing economic and strategic importance and affirmed that the two nations can act together on security, counter-terrorism, migration, and energy.

Starmer announced that the United Kingdom will provide Türkiye with 20 Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jets, with the option to acquire more in the future. “This will deepen and enhance security within NATO and strengthen bilateral defense industry cooperation,” he said. Starmer added that the fighter jet sale would boost economic growth in both Türkiye and the United Kingdom, creating 20,000 employment opportunities for British citizens.

Starmer expressed his satisfaction at meeting Erdoğan and noted that the two countries had the opportunity to strengthen their important relationship. “Though the two nations lie at opposite ends of Europe, we are now working much closer than ever before,” he said, highlighting that Türkiye and the United Kingdom, as NATO allies, collaborate for the common security of Europe and support Ukraine within the framework of the Coalition of the Willing. Starmer emphasized that the Eurofighter Typhoon jets will support the Turkish Air Force in safeguarding NATO’s southeastern flank in the interests of all allies.

Starmer underscored that they had experienced a “historic day” and thanked President Erdoğan for his hospitality and partnership. “I have a strong desire to further advance our shared interests and intentions and to continue working together,” he said, adding that he looked forward to returning to Ankara for the NATO Summit planned for 7-8 July 2026.