The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Republic of Türkiye have this week signed a new Security and Defence Partnership at the NATO Summit in Ankara, marking a significant milestone in their strong strategic partnership.

In a joint statement, both governments said the Partnership reflects a shared determination as two major European NATO Allies to further strengthen and institutionalise their co-operation in response to the evolving Euro-Atlantic security environment.

The Partnership will cover new mechanisms on the politico-military aspects of security and defence policy, including deterrence and defence, military co-operation, defence industry and technology, cyber security and hybrid threats, counter-terrorism, resilience and civil preparedness and space.

The signing of this Partnership reaffirms the UK and Türkiye’s deep commitment to each other’s defence and to the North Atlantic Treaty. The two nations signed a Strategic Partnership Framework in April aimed at "strengthening dialogue and cooperation between the two countries as NATO allies and strategic partners”.

Relations between the UK and Türkiye have strengthened following Ankara’s decision last summer to purchase 20  Eurofighter Typhoon jets in a multibillion-dollar deal.