While fifth- and sixth-generation fighter jets dominate the spotlight, Europe’s fourth-generation Eurofighter Typhoon remains in high demand.
The Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II is the most widely adopted fifth-generation fighter in the world, with more than 1,100 now in service. Boeing has been awarded the contract to build the sixth-generation F-47, the centerpiece of the United States Air Force’s Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) program. China has two fifth-gen fighters in service, the Chengdu J-20 Mighty Dragon and Shenyang J-35, and Russia continues to seek buyers for its Sukhoi Su-57 (NATO reporting name Felon).
It would appear that the aerospace world is entirely focused on fifth-generation and even sixth-generation multirole fighters. However, it would be wrong to dismiss the fact that for most of the world, these aircraft are largely out of reach. The acquisition and operating costs are too high, and many nations do not need the capabilities that the most advanced fighters offer. This explains why fourth-generation fighters remain in high demand, a trend that is expected to continue in the years to come.
Among those fourth-generation fighters is the Eurofighter Typhoon, which could see a production increase of 30 aircraft per year beginning in 2028, more than double the current output. The four-nation Eurofighter consortium, composed of Germany, Italy, Spain, and the United Kingdom, will steadily ramp up production from 12 to 14 aircraft per year to 20, and then to 30 if demand is present.
Speaking to reporters at this month’s Paris Air Show, the largest aerospace event in the world, Eurofighter CEO Jorge Tamarit Degenhardt announced that the initial increase to 20 aircraft will occur over the next three years. Potential customers can expect delivery of the Typhoon to begin approximately 50 months after the contract has been signed, and the consortium seeks to reduce this timeframe considerably.
“We need to [ramp up production] fast,” said Degenhardt. “Since these deliveries are happening within the next decade or decades, we need to sustain this increase of industrial throughput, [by developing] the best new manufacturing technologies, and we need to strengthen as well our supply chain of 400 critical suppliers.”
The Long-Term Production Outlook for the Typhoon
According to a report by Breaking Defense, current orders for the Eurofighter total 729 aircraft, with the consortium “targeting four export campaigns to dramatically increase production long term.” The nations slated to buy the multirole Typhoon include Austria, which may use the Typhoon to replace its oldest Tranche 1 Eurofighter models, as well as Poland, Turkey, and Saudi Arabia.
Warsaw has expressed interest in another 4th+ generation fighter, Boeing’s F-15EX, but hasn’t commented on what could replace its older Soviet-era aircraft. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia already operates roughly 72 Eurofighters. Turkey has sought to modernize its air force significantly and had been part of the F-35 program, only to be expelled for its adoption of the Russian-made S-400 Triumf air defense system. Since then, Ankara has looked to close a deal for the F-16 Fighting Falcon, but has scaled down its planned acquisition, and instead has sought to acquire the Eurofighter.
Who in the Eurofighter Consortium Will Buy the Typhoon?
Of the Eurofighter consortium members, only the UK has publicly announced it will not buy additional Typhoons. The UK’s recently released Strategic Defence Review (SDR) has instead called for the acquisition of more F-35s, including both the F-35A, the conventional takeoff and landing (CTOL) variant, and the F-35B, the short takeoff and vertical landing (STOVL) model that can operate from the Royal Navy’s aircraft carriers.
By contrast, the air forces of Spain, Italy, and Germany have all placed orders for additional Typhoons. That will help ensure that the production lines continue to run for years, until the next-generation fighters currently in development by the competing GCAP and FCAS consortia finally enter service.
About the Author: Peter Suciu
Peter Suciu has contributed over 3,200 published pieces to more than four dozen magazines and websites over a thirty-year career in journalism. He regularly writes about military hardware, firearms history, cybersecurity, politics, and international affairs. Peter is also a Contributing Writer for Forbes and Clearance Jobs. He is based in Michigan. You can follow him on Twitter: @PeterSuciu. You can email the author: [email protected].
Image: Wikimedia Commons.
