MPs warn sovereign capability at risk without new Typhoons

Exchanges in the Westminster Hall debate on Typhoon sovereign capability highlighted cross-party unease over the UK’s long-term combat air posture.

Andy MacNae, Labour MP for Rossendale and Darwen, argued that the UK should aim for a balanced force structure rather than an either-or choice between Typhoon and F-35.

He said that maintaining domestic fast-jet manufacturing aligns with decisions taken by other Eurofighter partners, noting that “Spain ordered an additional 25 Typhoons… Italy ordered 25 to replace its tranche 1s… [and] Germany placed an order for another 20 Typhoons.” MacNae added that those nations had “protected their domestic fast jet manufacturing capability while ensuring they have a mix of capabilities to address the full range of conflict scenarios.”

Mark Francois, Conservative MP for Rayleigh and Wickford, pressed him on the operational implications of relying heavily on US-managed programmes. He argued that the UK remains constrained by American priorities within the F-35 enterprise, telling MPs that the integration of the Meteor missile has been slowed because “American systems have been prioritised.”

MacNae replied that his concerns were validated by an NAO report and said “there is no doubt that sovereign capability means maintaining all the controls to deliver the independence and resilience that a tier 1 nation surely requires.”

MacNae also linked the debate to regional industrial strategy, emphasising the importance of aerospace employment in Lancashire’s skills pipeline. He said “the fact that we can go into schools… and talk about some of the best engineering and technical jobs in the world being just down the road is invaluable” and argued that ordering UK fighters would represent “the ultimate vote of confidence” in the workforce.

Conservative MP Ben Obese-Jecty, who represents Huntingdon, welcomed the Turkish order for 20 Typhoons but pressed Ministers on workshare, delivery sequencing and long term support. He said the programme generates significant economic value, citing “£1.4 billion in export contributions annually and over £30 billion of value to the UK economy” and described Typhoon as a central element of sovereign manufacturing.

Obese-Jecty asked how many of the 154 Eurofighters awaiting delivery across partner nations will be assembled at Warton and what measures will prevent skill fade before Turkish aircraft reach the final assembly phase. He also queried long term support for export users, pointing out that Turkey will still be receiving aircraft as the RAF approaches its current 2040 out-of-service date.

He told MPs that clarity is needed on future upgrades, including radar, defensive aids and weapons integration, and said the phase 4 enhancement package appears unlikely to be fully defined in time for the coming defence investment plan. He argued that “with the best will in the world, we know the Government are not about to pull the trigger on a domestic Typhoon order” but maintained that Typhoon will remain central to UK airpower, quoting the Minister’s previous statement that the aircraft will serve as “the backbone of the UK’s Combat Air Force until at least the 2040s.”