(MENAFN) Türkiye’s recent signing of an accord on Monday to acquire 20 Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft from the United Kingdom is being described as "a win for NATO security," declared British Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

“This landmark agreement with Türkiye is a win for British workers, a win for our defense industry and a win for NATO security," Starmer stated, as cited in a UK government announcement.

He emphasized that the accord will reinforce and expand NATO’s collective security while also boosting bilateral cooperation in the defense sector.

Speaking at a joint press briefing alongside Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Starmer noted that "At either end 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."

According to the UK government, Defense Secretary John Healey, who accompanied Starmer on his visit to Ankara, remarked: “Türkiye is an important NATO ally and the gatekeeper to the Black Sea.”

He added that "By equipping them with top-of-the-range Typhoon fighter jets, this deal will strengthen NATO deterrence and help make us all safer."

The UK government characterized the pact as "the biggest fighter jet export deal in a generation."

It also highlighted that the arrangement will help maintain a workforce of around 20,000 employees across production facilities in Edinburgh, Warton, Samlesbury, and Bristol.

Starmer further mentioned that with a renewed and updated free trade agreement, both nations will be positioned to collaborate more effectively on matters of security, counterterrorism, migration, energy, and various other shared challenges.

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