Turkish Typhoon deal promises future jobs for East Lancs plane factories

BAE Systems has welcomed draft deal between the UK and Turkish governments opening the way for new orders for the Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft which are partly manufactured and assembled at its Lancashire factories.

The Memorandum of Understanding was signed today by Turkish Minister of National Defence, Yasar Güler, and UK Secretary of State for Defence, John Healey, at the International Defence Industry Fair in Istanbul.

BAE Systems Air Sector employs 12,000 people across its Samlesbury and Warton sites; 5,600 at Samlesbury and 6,400 at Warton.
At Warton, the final assembly of Typhoons – produced by a four nation consortium – takes place.

The Samlesbury plant manufactures the UK workshare of Typhoon major units, which includes the aircraft’s front fuselage, spine tank and tail section.

The new follows the company rejecting fears from the Unite Union earlier this month thar orders for the warplane were drying up putting hundreds of jobs at its Lancashire military aircraft factories at risk,

Charles Woodburn, chief sxecutive of BAE Systems, said: “This Memorandum of Understanding between the governments of Türkiye and the UK underscores the importance of their long-standing defence co-operation through NATO and the critical role Typhoon plays in security and defence in Europe and the Middle East.”

A company spokesman said: “Typhoon is a multi-role highly advanced fighter jet, in operation with nine air forces across the world, and has a reputation for its performance, reliability, availability and survivability.

“The aircraft plays a key role at the heart of NATO operations and provides air policing along Europe’s eastern flank.

“During 2023 and 2024, Typhoon aircraft delivered 80 per cent of operational missions conducted by the Eurofighter partner nations, Germany, Italy, Spain and the UK, underlining operators’ confidence in its performance.

“BAE Systems plays a key role in the development, production and support of Typhoon aircraft for a number of air forces around the world, with much of the work carried out at the company’s sites in Lancashire.

“The programme delivers significant economic value to the UK, supporting on average around 21,000 jobs, including highly skilled engineering jobs.

“It is an export success story, contributing £1.4bn in exports annually and generating around £1.6bn to the economy.

“BAE Systems will continue to work closely with the governments of Türkiye and the UK to formalise an agreement for procurement of Typhoon aircraft and associated supplies in due course. “

Last month, the government announced it was to buy 12 F35A upgraded fighter jets capable of carrying nuclear bombs, partly manufactured at Lancashire’s BAE Systems Air Sector factories.