UK Prime Minister Starmer inspects Türkiye's domestic fighter jet KAAN

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer conducted a significant visit to Turkish Aerospace Industries (TUSAS) on Monday, receiving detailed briefings on Türkiye's domestically developed KAAN fighter jet program. The British leader was accompanied by Defense Minister Yaşar Güler during his tour of Türkiye's premier aerospace facility, according to an official statement from the National Defense Ministry.

High-Level Defense Delegation

Starmer's delegation included UK Secretary of State for Defence John Healey and Royal Air Force Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Sir Harv Smyth, alongside Turkish Air Force Commander General Ziya Cemal Kadıoğlu. The presence of both nations' top defense officials underscored the strategic importance of aerospace cooperation in UK-Türkiye relations and the mutual interest in advanced fighter jet technologies.

Aerospace Cooperation Assessment

During the TUSAS facility tour, the British prime minister personally inspected a Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft that had been brought to Türkiye as part of ongoing bilateral defense cooperation discussions. The simultaneous examination of both the KAAN and Eurofighter platforms highlighted the complementary nature of Turkish and British aerospace capabilities and potential areas for future technological partnership.

Anıtkabir Tribute

Earlier in his Ankara itinerary, Prime Minister Starmer paid respects at Anıtkabir, the mausoleum of modern Türkiye's founder Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, where he signed the special memorial book. This diplomatic gesture acknowledged Türkiye's historical legacy and founding principles, reflecting the comprehensive nature of his official visit encompassing both historical appreciation and forward-looking technological cooperation.