UK to fully halt Typhoon fighter jet production
Photo: Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jet (Getty Images)
The United Kingdom may fully halt production of its Eurofighter Typhoon jets, which have long been a cornerstone of the country’s air force fleet. London has instead prioritized orders for American-made F-35 fighters, a move that has raised concerns among opposition figures and defense experts, according to the Financial Times.
The Eurofighter Typhoon, long a backbone of the British Royal Air Force, has been produced for years at the BAE Systems plant in Warton, Lancashire. However, the assembly line is now winding down, with the final aircraft being built for Qatar. After that, unless new orders are placed, production will cease.
London has not ordered any new Typhoons since 2009. Recent production has been driven by export deals, most notably with Qatar, which has shown strong interest, and Saudi Arabia, though its order has yet to be confirmed.
Without new orders, the production line could shut down entirely, triggering factory closures, job losses, and a potential decline in the UK’s critical aerospace capabilities.
The UK government recently debated its defense priorities. Officials are currently favoring the procurement of US-made F-35A fighter jets. In contrast, the opposition has called for new Typhoon orders to support the domestic industry.
Defense Secretary John Healey declined to confirm whether a new Typhoon order would be placed but emphasized the jet’s strategic importance for the UK’s defense.
The Ministry of Defence echoed this, stating that Typhoons will remain in service at least into the 2040s. Officials also noted that talks are ongoing with Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey about potential purchases, suggesting it’s premature to worry about the end of Typhoon production.
About Eurofighter Typhoon
The Eurofighter Typhoon is a fourth-generation multirole fighter jointly developed by the UK and Germany. Its development began in 1983 under the Future European Fighter Aircraft program. The prototype flew in 1994, and the aircraft entered service in the 2000s.
To date, 586 Typhoons have been produced, each costing approximately $120 million. The aircraft is in service with the UK, Germany, Italy, Saudi Arabia, and several other countries.
In February 2025, when the possibility of deploying a Russian deterrence force to Ukraine was discussed, British Typhoons were considered for potential deployment.
