ANKARA, Turkey (AP) — Turkey and Britain on Wednesday signed a preliminary agreement for the sale of Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jets to Turkey, a significant step in Ankara’s efforts to modernize its air fleet.

Turkey reached deals with NATO allies Britain and Germany on Wednesday that pave the way to acquiring dozens of Eurofighter Typhoon jets, which Ankara has sought to bolster defences in an increasingly volatile region.

The U.K. and Turkey signed a memorandum of understanding to allow Ankara to become a customer of Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jets, paving the way for a multibillion-dollar order of up to 40 aircraft. Senior defense officials from both governments signed the deal in Istanbul on Wednesday, confirming a Dow Jones Newswires report published Monday.