The defense cooperation agreement signed last week between Turkiye and the United Kingdom marks the latest milestone in what has become a rapidly expanding and strategically vital partnership. As global security dynamics continue to evolve, Ankara and London are drawing closer together, finding common ground across defense, trade, migration, and regional diplomacy.

The signing of the Turkiye-UK Defense Industry Cooperation Council Charter formalizes a relationship that has been steadily strengthening over the past decade. This institutional framework paves the way for joint defense projects, research, technology sharing, and enhanced security coordination. Both nations cited a “changing global security environment” and the presence of “common threats” as the underlying reasons for deepening their alliance.

The roots of this growing relationship stretch back several years. In 2023, Turkish and British defense ministers signed a statement of intent to expand their defense cooperation, including joint training exercises and broader security collaboration. An even clearer indicator of deepening ties is the ongoing negotiation over the potential sale of Eurofighter Typhoon jets to Turkiye – a deal reportedly valued at nearly $10 billion. Such a significant transaction not only highlights Turkiye’s desire to modernize its air force but also signals the UK’s willingness to bolster Ankara’s defense capabilities in a challenging region.

When Keir Starmer assumed the role of Prime Minister last summer, some observers feared that the close momentum between Turkiye and the UK could stall. Starmer’s Labour Party, traditionally perceived as more critical of foreign governments’ domestic policies, was expected to take a less pragmatic approach........

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