In its new study ‘The Market for Fighter Aircraft’, Forecast International projects that a total of 3,243 fighter aircraft will be produced from 2018 through 2027.

The value of this production is estimated at $249.3 billion say the analysts.

“The total number of fighters to be produced over the next decade is 13.1 percent (377 units) higher than the number of aircraft produced during the previous 10 years, when production in the fighter market averaged about 280 aircraft per year.

Production during the 2018-2027 forecast period will peak at 380 aircraft in 2021. Annual production will then decline through 2027, with production falling to 269 aircraft that year.”

The Lockheed Martin F-35 will be the largest fighter programme over the next decade, due primarily to its selection as the tactical fighter of choice for the US Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps as well as the United Kingdom and other nations. Indeed, of the 3,243 fighters expected to roll off the production lines during the next 10 years, 1,466 will be F-35s, representing more than 45 percent of the market.

The outlook for the remaining US fighters — the Boeing F-15 and F/A-18E/F Super Hornet and Lockheed Martin’s own F-16 — was once grim but has improved in recent years. While many of the US government’s allies — traditionally the best customers for US fighters — will likely buy the F-35, uncertainty over the aircraft’s capabilities and the high cost of early production aircraft are leading other countries to consider legacy US aircraft.

“One key market for legacy aircraft from the US and Europe is the Middle East,” said Forecast International Senior Aerospace Analyst Douglas Royce.

“Orders from energy-rich customers in the region are helping to extend production lines at Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Dassault and the Eurofighter consortium.”

European manufacturers will account for 11.6 percent of fighter production during the forecast period. This includes the Eurofighter Typhoon (95 units), Dassault Rafale (158) and Saab Gripen (125). Meanwhile, Russia’s United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) will continue to provide fighters to nations outside the U.S. and European defense spheres.

China is a potential competitor in this submarket, but has yet to fully develop a solid export program for its most advanced fighters note the analysts.

Forecast International is a provider of Market Intelligence and Consulting in the areas of aerospace, defence, power systems and military electronics. Based in the United States, the company says it specialises in long-range industry forecasts and market assessments.

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George has a degree in Cyber Security from Glasgow Caledonian University and has a keen interest in naval and cyber security matters and has appeared on national radio and television to discuss current events. George is on Twitter at @geoallison
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Nathan
Nathan
5 years ago

I wonder is there is any opportunity to modify the Typhoon to create a European equivalent of the SU-57.

I don’t think a new 6th generation aircraft will arrive in time to capitalise on this market but a good 5th gen+ perhaps could?

Perhaps the Turkish TF-X programme is something we should watch more closely as offering a potential framework on which to build a UK centric system?

Marc
Marc
5 years ago

Looking at the price of a fighter jet what’s that work out maybe a thousand aircraft?

Mike Saul
Mike Saul
5 years ago

F35 will dominate the fighter market.

Once the Arab nations are allowed to purchase the F35 you can add another 500 orders to the 3200 already ordered, plus an Indian order of 200 plus.

Just as well we the UK build 15% of F35.

Anthony
Anthony
5 years ago
Reply to  Mike Saul

Can you see the USA letting middle East countries access the technology?

In terms of Uk though, is there any reason not to phase out thypoon in the 2030s with additional f35 buys?

DaveyB
DaveyB
5 years ago
Reply to  Anthony

Yes The F35 is primarily a ground attack aircraft. It is not an out and out Interceptor such as the Typhoon. The time to height times for the Typhoon are better than the original English Electric Lightning, which was pretty phenomenal by even today’s standards. The F35 couldn’t match these times as it has lower power to weight ratio. The two aircraft were designed for completely different methods of fighting. The Typhoon was designed as an area dominance fighter, consisting of a large combat radius, large weapon load of AAM and sustained supersonic manoeuvring. The F35 was designed to counter… Read more »

Mike Saul
Mike Saul
5 years ago
Reply to  DaveyB

I understand the US and Israel have some agreement that the US will not supply advanced technology weapon systems to Arab nations until Israel has had the opportunity to test and use the systems.

In effect this means Israel will have F35 in service for 10 years before the Arab nations can get them.

Even then the Arab countries may get a less capable variant, as was the case for the F15.

Anthony Morgan Davies
Anthony Morgan Davies
5 years ago
Reply to  DaveyB

Thanks. What’s the post typhoon plan?

Sceptical Richard
Sceptical Richard
5 years ago

More F-35?

Anthony
Anthony
5 years ago
Reply to  DaveyB

Isn’t it more to do with tactics though. F35 has air to air capability, relying on stealth and sensors to deliver, rather than pace and agility.

Sceptical Richard
Sceptical Richard
5 years ago
Reply to  Anthony

You’re right Anthony. Especially with Meteor, stealth and advanced sensor fusion/networking agility becomes less of an imperative.

John Clark
John Clark
5 years ago
Reply to  DaveyB

Don’t bank on the Anglo Turkish design going anywhere, Turkeys Russian pivot might well pull the plug on that project.

The way they are going they will be kicking out of NATO and the Turkish Greek boundary might become the “new” inter German border of the last cold war.

Watcherzero
Watcherzero
5 years ago
Reply to  Mike Saul

They’ve not even let the Japanese have all the F35 tech and are withholding export licenses for some components and they are one of the production partners! That’s why the Japanese are now looking at an interim aircraft and to develop their own long term solution without US involvement possibly in partnership with the UK. Congress is also blocking the export of the F35 to Turkey a NATO member, breaking their deal for 100 after lobbying by Israel. The UK government is supposedly again looking at reducing their F35 order and getting more Eurofighters instead, cheaper to buy and operate… Read more »

Stephen G.
Stephen G.
5 years ago

We need to press ahead with Taranis.

T.S
5 years ago

We should be looking to build a healthy uk based industry. Buy the Typhoon design outright and modify to create a fully updated version, including catobar. Increased power, speed and economy, improved stealth, thrust vectoring and an F35 cockpit. Nothing revolutionary, just exceptional using the best already available saving a large chunk of development cost. Develop Taranis ourselves and create a family of Ucavs. Design Typhoon 2 to operate with a group of air superiority or bomber variants, then look at designing a vertical take off variant for the carriers, an awacs style and an refuelling version over time. If… Read more »

Pacman27
Pacman27
5 years ago

An F35 managing 2-4 Taranis/Magma’s in a battlespace is something the UK should be pursuing both operationally and industrially. We can really do this, after all we have got Taranis up and running, only to go into bed with the French again (not a good idea). This is an area overlooked by the US I believe , but a combat fleet of 128 F35’s (8 Sqdns of 16) managing a fleet of 256 Taranis would allow us to get scale and refinement of equipment and leverage off the brains of the F35. It also allows us to mitigate some of… Read more »

Martin
Martin
5 years ago

I’ll say it again Tyohoon 2 would be a mistake much like the gloster galdiator. The next fixed wing aircrafts we embark on after the typhoon will be serving in the 22nd century. Much better to build on the success of Taranis with a UK program and possibly bring in some big buyers like Turkey and Saudi or some disillusioned European countries like the Polish and 5 eye partners like Australia. There are lots of big potential partners to work with these days all disillusioned with US or Pan European projects. Let the Germans and French cluster f**k go ahead… Read more »

Mr Bell
Mr Bell
5 years ago

Got to agree with Martin if we can get a deep penetration stealthy strike drone in operation by 2030 and then actually build enough to capitalise on this new capability then we will be going places. Our armed forces are rife with nearly hads and could have been scenarios Type 45 destroyer…nearly the best destroyer in the world. Just needed to have mk41 vl missile silos fitted. Type 26 frigates almost regained RN fighting power until the order was cut to just 8 ships. Typhoon developed now into the most capable multirole fighter in the world. Just need more of… Read more »

Paul T
Paul T
5 years ago

Apologies to whoever correctly stated (long ago post that I cant remember) that the F35b will not/does not need to contribute to the QRA duties of UK Airspace,but once they have settled in nicely at RAF Marham I can envisage a photo opportunity where a visit from one of our Russian friends Blackjacks/Bears etc will be made with Typhoon off one wing and F35 off the other,maybe time will tell.