UK Halts Manufacturing of Eurofighter Typhoon Aircraft
The Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP), a joint venture between the UK, Italy, and Japan, is a significant step towards the development of a sixth-generation stealth fighter jet. The new aircraft is planned to replace the Eurofighter Typhoon, F-2, and other fourth-generation multi-role fighters in the UK, Italy, and Japan.
The GCAP program, formally announced in December 2022, consolidates previously separate projects from the UK-Italy (BAE Systems Tempest) and Japan (Mitsubishi F-X). A treaty was signed in December 2023 to formalize the collaboration, involving around 9,000 personnel and over 1,000 suppliers across the three countries, with the UK hosting the largest number of suppliers.
The formal development of the aircraft is expected to begin in 2025, with a demonstrator aircraft planned to fly in 2027. Production aircraft are expected to begin entering service around 2035, marking the entry of the new fighter jet into service.
However, concerns have been raised about the timeline, particularly by Japan, which has expressed doubts about the 2035 in-service date. Italy and the UK, on the other hand, are committed to maintaining or accelerating the schedule. Official sources have denied any delays or program exit plans.
It is worth noting that another European sixth-generation fighter initiative, the Future Combat Air System (FCAS), involving France, Germany, and Spain, targets a later entry into service around 2040, indicating that GCAP’s 2035 timeline is relatively ambitious.
The Eurofighter Typhoon, currently in service, is expected to be replaced starting around 2035 by the GCAP aircraft. This timeline aligns with the planned operational deployment of the new fighter jet developed under GCAP.
The last aircraft of the Eurofighter Typhoon is part of a £5 billion order placed by Qatar in 2017. BAE Systems, the UK's largest defense company, has paused production of the Eurofighter Typhoon, with the factory in Warton preparing to deliver the last aircraft.
In conclusion, the GCAP program is progressing actively, with formal development starting in 2025 and a demonstrator flight anticipated in 2027, aiming to replace Eurofighter Typhoons starting from 2035. While concerns about the schedule have been raised, particularly by Japan, the UK and Italy are committed to maintaining or accelerating the timeline, with official sources denying any delays or program exit plans.
The industry-wide collaboration in the GCAP program includes over 1,000 suppliers from the finance sector, with a significant number being from the UK. The new sixth-generation stealth fighter jet, planned to replace the Eurofighter Typhoon, is expected to strengthen the aerospace industry in the participating countries.
