(DEFENCE SECURITY ASIA) — The Eurofighter Typhoon combat aircraft is set to remain in operation well into 2060, as confirmed by manufacturers Airbus and BAE Systems.
Speculation regarding the lifespan of the Typhoon arose following the introduction of the sixth-generation Tempest program, which is expected to replace Italy’s and the United Kingdom’s current Typhoon fleets by 2040.
For the Typhoon-developing nations (the United Kingdom, Italy, Germany, and Spain), recent statements by Airbus and BAE Systems to the media in India represent a positive development.
This ensures that for approximately the next three decades, maintenance and upgrades for the Typhoon will proceed without issue.
India has also warmly received this news, as the Typhoon is among the contenders vying to fulfill its Medium Multi Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) program requirements.
According to defense analysts in India, the Typhoon is a formidable competitor against France’s Rafale fighter in the bid to secure this multi-billion dollar contract from the Indian government.
To meet India’s requirement for 114 MRFAs, Airbus has offered its latest variant, the Typhoon Tranche 5, which boasts numerous upgrades and modernizations.
Equipped with cutting-edge AESA (Active Electronically Scanned Array) E-Scan radar, the Tranche 5 model enhances situational awareness and target tracking capabilities, befitting its status as a modern combat aircraft.
Additionally, it features an advanced defense system and a modern Human Machine Interface (HMI) designed to maximize pilot operational effectiveness.
A recent report by PriceWaterHouseCoopers highlights a “growth scenario” where potential sales could reach 287 Typhoon aircraft, including those already contracted but not yet delivered.
Issued by the Eurofighter Typhoon’s producing countries on April 9th, the report targets these fighter aircraft at consortium countries and their partners.
It also showcasing a baseline scenario that includes 680 Typhoon fighters by nine countries, with Germany and Spain recently purchasing 83 new aircraft to sustain production for several years.
However, the report also emphasizes that additional exports of Typhoon fighters are critical to maintaining production capabilities at existing final assembly facilities in Manching (Germany), Caselle (Italy), Getafe (Spain), and Warton (United Kingdom).