Eurofighter Typhoon

Origins In the UK, as early as 1971, work commenced on the development of a maneuverable, tactical aircraft to replace the SEPECAT Jaguar (that was then about to enter service with the RAF). This work soon expanded to include an air superiority capability. A specification titled Air Staff Target 403 (AST 403), in 1972, led to the Hawker P.96, an unbuilt design with a relatively conventional planform, including a separate tail structure, in the late 1970s. Simultaneously, in West Germany, the requirement for a new fighter had resulted in competition between Dornier, VFW-Fokker and Messerschmitt-Bölkow-Blohm (MBB) for a future Luftwaffe contract known as Taktisches Kampfflugzeug 90 ("Tactical Combat Aircraft 90"; TKF-90). Dornier collaborated with Northrop in the US on an acclaimed but unsuccessful design known as the . MBB was successful, with a design including a cranked delta wing, close-coupled-canard controls, and artificial stability. In 1979, MBB and British Aerospace (BAe) presented a formal proposal to their respective governments for a collaboration, to be known as the European Collaborative Fighter, The share of the production work was divided among the countries in proportion to their projected procurement – BAe (33%), DASA (33%), Aeritalia (21%), and Construcciones Aeronáuticas SA (CASA) (13%). The Munich-based Eurofighter Jagdflugzeug GmbH was established in 1986 to manage development of the project By 1990, the selection of the aircraft's radar had become a major obstacle. The UK, Italy and Spain supported the Ferranti Defence Systems-led ECR-90, while Germany preferred the APG-65-based MSD2000 (a collaboration between Hughes, AEG and GEC-Marconi). An agreement was reached after UK Defence Secretary Tom King assured his West German counterpart Gerhard Stoltenberg that the British government would approve the project and allow the GEC subsidiary Marconi Electronic Systems to acquire Ferranti Defence Systems from its parent, the Ferranti Group, which was in financial and legal difficulties. GEC thus withdrew its support for the MSD2000. On 17 June 2009, Germany ordered 31 aircraft of Tranche 3A for €2.8billion, leading to a system cost of €90million per aircraft. Upgrades In 2000, the UK selected the Meteor from MBDA as the long range air-to-air missile armament for its Typhoons with an in-service date of December 2011. The Luftwaffe ordered 15 ECR electronic warfare aircraft conversions for the Luftgestützte Wirkung im Elektromagnetischen Spektrum (luWES) requirement in March 2022. The 15 Typhoon EK model are to be transformed from existing German Typhoons and are to equipped with AGM-88E AARGM Anti-radiation missiles. The aircraft are expected to be NATO-certified by 2030. The Tranche 4PE is a further development package aiming at integrating improved missiles (Meteor, Taurus, AMRAAM, GBU, JDAM). Replacement Germany is to replace the Eurofighter with the New Generation Fighter (NGF), co-developed with France and Spain. The Global Combat Air Programme is a ‘6th Generation’ fighter envisioned as a replacement for the RAF and Italian Air Force (AM), part of the UK's wider Future Combat Air System. ==Design==

Airframe overview The Typhoon is a dual engine, loosely coupled delta canard tailless design featuring a 53-degree leading edge sweepback, relaxed stability, and a digital fly-by-wire control system. It is a highly agile aircraft at all speeds, subsonic and supersonic, achieved by having intentionally relaxed stability, combined canard and flaperon control surfaces, and a very low wing loading. The quadruplex digital fly-by-wire control system manages the inherent instability, allowing better maneuverability than direct pilot control. It is described as "carefree" and prevents the permitted manoeuvre envelope being exceeded. Roll control is primarily achieved by differential use of the flaperons. Pitch control is by coupled operation of the canards and flaperons. The wing leading edges are fitted with automatic movable slats. A single large rudder provides yaw control. Radar signature reduction features -like air intake partially conceals engine fans, a major source of radar wave reflection Although it is not considered a stealth fighter, measures were taken to reduce the Typhoon's radar cross section (RCS), especially from the frontal aspect. For example, the Typhoon has jet inlets that conceal the front of the engines, a strong radar target, from radar. Many important potential radar targets, such as the wing, canard, and fin leading edges, are highly swept so they will reflect radar energy well away from the front. Some external weapons are mounted semi-recessed into the aircraft, partially shielding them from incoming radar. The AESA radar program for the Eurofighter is now split into three European Common Radar System (ECRS) variants: • ECRS Mk0: also called Radar One Plus, this is the baseline Captor-E model which was developed by Leonardo. Hardware development is complete and it is fitted to aircraft delivered to Kuwait and Qatar. • ECRS Mk1: an upgrade of the Mk0 being developed by Hensoldt/Indra, for Germany and Spain. In July 2009, Former Chief of Air Staff for the RAF, Air Chief Marshal Sir Glenn Torpy, said that "The Eurofighter Typhoon is an excellent aircraft. It is to be the backbone of the Royal Air Force along with the JSF." In his 2022 book Typhoon, former RAF pilot Mike Sutton reported that his 27 mm cannon had jammed during a strafing run in Syria, against ISIS targets, while supporting Allied ground units. According to his book, the Typhoon was originally intended to be built without an internal gun, like the F-4 Phantom and the Harrier jump jet. A decision to install an internal gun had led to "manufacturing issues". Sutton claimed that, during his strafing run, the gun jammed after 26 rounds, with the HUD showing a "GUN FAIL" warning legend. During the debrief it transpired that the problem was well known to both the pilots and ground crews. ==Operational history==

Austrian Air Force (Luftstreitkräfte) Eurofighter 7L-WA in flight to Zeltweg Air Base, July 2007 In 2002, Austria selected the Typhoon as its new air defence aircraft, it having beaten the F-16 and the Saab Gripen in competition. The move was criticized due to the "secondhand" nature of the aircraft, its high operational cost, and past legal dispute between Austria Defence Ministry and Airbus. German Air Force (Luftwaffe) On 4 August 2003, the German Air Force accepted its first series production Eurofighter (30+03) starting the replacement process of the Mikoyan MiG-29s inherited from the East German Air Force. German Eurofighters took part in Exercise Tarang Shakti held by the Indian Air Force from 6 August 2024. During NATO's Steadfast Dart 26 exercise in February 2026, the German Eurofighter Typhoon and the Turkish Baykar Bayraktar TB3 conducted joint military training operations in the Baltic region. The Bayraktar TB-3 launched from the Turkish Naval Forces drone carrier TCG Anadolu to provide real-time intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition, and reconnaissance (ISTR) for the Eurofighter Typhoons using its Aselsan ASELFLIR 500 EOTS. After the Bayraktar TB-3 struck its own targets with two MAM-L precision-guided munitions, the UCAV also successfully identified simulated hostile targets for the German Eurofighter Typhoons to engage with precision strikes by the multirole fighter. Both aircraft completed manned-unmanned teaming joint missions to demonstrate successful platform integration and NATO standardization compliance. Kuwait subsequently extended its contract with Leonardo for in-service support of the Eurofighter fleet until December 2029. Qatar Emiri Air Force From January 2011 the Qatar Emiri Air Force (QEAF) evaluated the Typhoon, alongside the Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, the McDonnell Douglas F-15E Strike Eagle, the Dassault Rafale, and the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II, to replace its then inventory of Dassault Mirage 2000-5s. On 30 April 2015 Qatar announced that it would order 24 Rafales. In October 2025, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan announced his interest in acquiring all 24 of Qatar's used Eurofighter Typhoon Tranche 3A aircraft. Royal Air Force (UK) at RAF Waddington, June 2004. This was the first RAF full production aircraft to fly. The UK's first Typhoon Development Aircraft (DA-2) ZH588 made its maiden flight on 6 April 1994 from Warton. During this one-month deployment the aircraft conducted more than 180 practice intercepts and 59 training sorties. Between April and September 2020, No. 6 Squadron deployed to Šiauliai Air Base, Lithuania, as part of Operation Azotize. On 14 December 2021 the RAF executed its first operational air-to-air engagement with a Typhoon, shooting down a small hostile drone with an ASRAAM near the Al-Tanf coalition base in Syria. On 7 September 2022 during the joint UK/US SinkEx 'Atlantic Thunder' a 41 Squadron Typhoon successfully hit the ex- with Paveway IVs, becoming the first RAF Typhoon to strike a naval target with live ordnance. Between 18 and 22 September 2023, Typhoons from 41 Squadron took part in the Finnish led Exercise ‘Baana 23’. During this exercise, the aircraft performed landings and takeoffs from a highway in Tervo, marking a first for any Eurofighter operator. On 12 January 2024, at 2:30 am local time, four RAF Typhoons dropped Paveway IV bombs on two military facilities, used by Houthis to launch drone and missile strikes on ships in the Red Sea, as a part of the 2024 Yemeni airstrike. On 13 April 2024, RAF Typhoons shot down an unspecified number of unmanned aerial vehicles during the 2024 Iranian strikes in Israel. The Typhoons, based in Cyprus and Romania, were operating in Iraqi and Syrian airspace as part of Operation Shader. Royal Air Force of Oman During the 2008 Farnborough Airshow it was announced that Oman was in an "advanced stage" of discussions to order Typhoons as a replacement for its SEPECAT Jaguar aircraft. Spanish Air and Space Force The first Spanish production Eurofighter Tifón to fly was CE.16-01 (ST001) on 17 February 2003, flying from Getafe Air Base. The Spanish Air and Space Force assigned their Typhoons to QRA responsibilities in July 2008. On 7 August 2018, a Spanish Air and Space Force Typhoon, on a training exercise near Otepää in Estonia, released an AMRAAM missile by mistake. There were no casualties, but the ten-day search operation for missile remains was unsuccessful and the status of the missile is unknown, whether it self-destructed in the air or landed unexploded and left a hazardous situation for the public. The pilot was disciplined for negligence, but received only the minimum penalty in the light of undisclosed mitigating circumstances. ==Sales and marketing==

Germany Germany placed an order for an additional 38 Tranche 4 Typhoons on 11 November 2020 under the Quadriga Agreement. The aircraft are due to replace Tranche 1 aircraft currently in service, with the first airframe being announced as in production in November 2022. Deliveries are due to take place from 2025. In March 2022, the German government announced the decision to purchase Typhoon EK over the Boeing EA-18G Growler to replace the ageing Tornado ECR variant from 2030. On 30 November 2023, the Budget Committee of the Bundestag formally announced the plans to convert 15 Typhoons to Electronic Warfare standard. On 5 June 2024, it was announced that an additional 20 Typhoons would be ordered on top of the 38 already on order. This order was approved in October 2025. Italy On 23 December 2024, an order worth €7.5 billion was placed for 24 aircraft. The contract is for 16 single-seat and four twin-seat airframes, all at Tranche 4 standard. These aircraft are expected to replace the EF-18 Hornets of Ala 46, based at Gando Air Base on the Canary Islands. Halcon II followed on 12 September 2023 for the acquirement of a further 25 Typhoons. Saudi Arabia In October 2016, it was reported that BAE Systems was in talks with Saudi Arabia over an order for another 48 aircraft. On 9 March 2018, a memorandum of intent for the additional 48 Typhoons was signed during Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's visit to the United Kingdom. In January 2024, the German government announced that it would no longer block the sale of 48 Typhoons to Saudi Arabia. there has been no official confirmation that the sale will go ahead as other aircraft have been considered to strengthen the Royal Saudi Air Force's combat fleet. Egypt In January 2023, reports surfaced that Egypt would acquire 24 Typhoons as part of a wider $10–12 Billion arms package from Italy. Turkey Although the jets were initially offered back in 2006, including a local assembly offer, Turkish Air Force opted to join the F-35 development. Germany initially was blocking the sale of the aircraft to Turkey, but in 2024, Scholz approved the potential sale of 40 Eurofighters to Turkey. An agreement was signed in October 2025 to purchase 20 fighters from the UK for £8 billion, including infrastructure, maintenance and systems. Of which, £5.4 billion for the aircraft and munitions. Furthermore, 24 additional second-hand units are to be acquired from Qatar and Oman. Bangladesh Bangladesh signed a Letter of Intent with Leonardo to begin talks in regards to the purchase of an unknown number of Eurofighter Typhoons to modernise the Bangladesh Air Force (BAF). Others Other countries have expressed interest in the fighter, including Poland, Colombia, Ukraine, and the Philippines. Failed bids The following countries have formally eliminated the Typhoon from their fighter programs: Belgium, Denmark, Singapore, South Korea, Switzerland, India, Croatia, Serbia,and Finland. ==Variants==

The Eurofighter is produced in single-seat and twin-seat variants. The twin-seat variant is used for training, though it is combat capable. The Tranche 1 aircraft were produced from 2000 onwards. Aircraft capabilities are being increased incrementally, with each software upgrade resulting in a different standard, known as blocks and also Enhanced Operational Capability (EOS) segments. The aircraft prototypes were manufactured in three major standards; Development Aircraft (DA), Instrumented Production Aircraft (IPA) for further system development, and a Series Production Aircraft. ==Operators==

Summary Current operators ; • Austrian Air Force – 15 delivered. 15 Aircraft to be upgraded to Typhoon EW (Electronic Warfare) standard. An additional 20 aircraft of the Tranche 5 were ordered in October 2025. • Nörvenich Air Base • Taktisches Luftwaffengeschwader 31 "Boelcke", 311 & 312 Staffel at ; • Italian Air Force – 96 ordered with 96 delivered and 93 in operation An additional 24 aircraft were ordered on 23 December 2024 for €7.5 billion. • Grosseto Air Base, 4º Stormo "Amedeo d'Aosta" (4th Wing) • 132° Gruppo Caccia (132nd Fighter Squadron) • Pratica di Mare Air Base, Reparto Sperimentale Volo ; • Kuwait Air Force – 28 ordered – This source is older than March 2024 and lists 13 delivered. --> • Ali Al Salem AB, Al Jahra District • 7 Squadron • 18 Squadron ; • Royal Air Force of Oman – 12 ordered in December 2012 • RAFO Adam, Ad Dakhiliyah • No.8 Squadron ; • Qatar Emiri Air Force – 24 ordered, • Tamim Airbase, Dukhan • 7 Squadron • 12 Squadron • RAF Coningsby, Lincolnshire, United Kingdom (from July 2020) On 20 December 2024, the Spanish government has signed a contract with Munich-based, Germany, NATO Eurofighter and Tornado Management Agency (NETMA) for the acquisition of additional 25 Eurofighter aircraft known as the Halcon II programme. • Seville-Morón Air Base, Ala 11 • 111 Escuadrón ; • Royal Air Force – 160 ordered, all of which had been delivered by September 2019. • RAF Coningsby, Lincolnshire, England • No. 3 (F) Squadron • No. 41 Test and Evaluation Squadron ==Accidents==

• On 21 November 2002, the Spanish twin-seat Typhoon prototype DA-6 crashed due to a double engine flameout caused by surges of the two engines at 45,000 ft. The two crew members escaped unhurt and the aircraft crashed in a military test range near Toledo, some from its base at Getafe Air Base. • On 24 July 2024, an Italian Air Force Typhoon crashed during a military training exercise in the Douglas Daly region of the Northern Territory, Australia, during Exercise Pitch Black. The pilot ejected safely and was taken to Royal Darwin Hospital by helicopter. ==Aircraft on display==

;Germany • 98+29 EF2000 Prototype DA-1 on display at the Deutsches Museum Flugwerft Schleissheim, Munich. • 98+30 EF2000 Prototype DA-5 on display at the MHM Gatow, currently stored, Berlin-Gatow. • 30+39 EF2000 GS0025 on display at the General-Steinhoff barracks, Berlin. ;Italy • MMX602 EF2000 Prototype DA-3 on display at Leonardo Factory Museum, Caselle. • MMX603 EF2000 Prototype DA-7 on display at Italian Air Force Museum, Vigna di Valle. ;United Kingdom • ZH588 EF2000 Prototype DA-2 on display at the Royal Air Force Museum London, Hendon, England. • ZH590 EF2000(T) Prototype DA-4 was on display at the Imperial War Museum Duxford, Cambridge, England, in Hangar 3: Air and Sea, and was due to be transferred to the Newark Air Museum in 2020. It now resides at RAF Cosford, however, after the MOD made the decision to use it as an Instructional Airframe. ==Specifications==