The Ministry of Defence has confirmed that a comprehensive assessment of Typhoon capability upgrades is underway, including radar, defensive aids, avionics, and weapons, as part of the aircraft’s long-term modernisation plan.
According to Defence Minister Luke Pollard, “an assessment of the planned Typhoon upgrades is currently underway. Further information regarding upgrades to the Typhoon’s systems and equipment will be communicated in the forthcoming Defence Investment Plan.”
This assessment complements ongoing work within the four-nation Phase 4 Enhancement (P4E) programme, which aims to deliver a step-change in Typhoon capability across the UK, Germany, Italy, and Spain.
Pollard stated that “the four-Nation Phase 4 Enhancement (P4E) upgrade programme is in the System Definition de-risking phase of activity, following the signature of the System Definition Contract in 2024.” He added that “over the coming months, the four nations will agree on the final P4E capability package, which will then move into the Design, Development and Demonstration phase.”
He confirmed that the partner nations have also agreed to begin early design work on long-lead activities, ensuring that “critical path activities for P4E capability are protected.”
The combined workstreams are expected to bring major improvements to the Typhoon’s radar and mission systems, including the introduction of advanced electronic warfare measures, sensor fusion, and enhanced connectivity for networked operations. Weapons integration is also set to expand, sustaining Typhoon’s role as NATO’s principal multi-role fighter alongside next-generation systems such as the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP).
Roll on DIP. Can’t wait to see what will be announced.
Change in teabags from PG to Tesco own brand.
Don’t get your hopes up.
The clowns need to grow Typhoon Force as a priority – they don’t seem to understand the concept of mass.
Germany, Spain and Italy are increasing their fleets so why isn’t the UK doing the same? Some pragmatism to increase masse and lethality, which they keep talking about, needed for these times.
And aren’t only 40 odd Typhoon’s getting the full upgrade, what about the other 60? Can’t these all be done?
We can’t order more Typhoons, because the RAF’s.fast jet budget has been totally commandeered for a decade to pay for the F-35bs for our showboat carrier.
The FJCA budget only stretches to 6 or 7 new aircraft a year, so it will be 2028 or 29 until the final 23 F-35Bs are delivered. There is as yet no spare money to buy any other combat aircraft in the meantime.
Then the schedule is to buy the initial 12 F-35As over probably 3 years. The A is about £30m cheaper per aircraft than the latest Typhoon, so the best bet for adding some mass.
Only 40 of the 107 Typhoons will be upgraded with the new European Common Radar System. The upgrade is extensive and very expensive, I read somewhere that the cost per aircraft could be over £40m, nearly half the cost of a new Typhoon, which is rather staggering if true.
We can assume that the MOD’s plan is to replace the remaining unconverted Typhoons with Tempest from 2035.
There seems to be a thought on here that defence got an extra £5bn this year.and there should be money to spend on new kit. I think it is actually £2bn this financial year, the £5bn kicks in in FY26/27 and then another £5bn the following year.
All this to say that, while we badly need another 24 Typhoons, there is alas no spare money to buy them. Whether the UK should have sapped its very small combat air capability to provide for one aircraft carrier in far-off waters is another matter.
After planning the assessment, they are assessing. So then they’ll plan the design, then they’ll design. Then they’ll plan to test the design. Then they’ll test the design. Then they’ll plan a prototype (assuming nobody insists on a tech demonstrator). Then they’ll build a prototype. Then they’ll plan to test the prototype, and then they’ll put it on hold for a year pending the next SDR. Besides there’ll be an election coming and Farage will be biting at their heels so they’ll have to give lots of money away in a “pre-election bonanza”. Then the new government will agree to test the prototype (despite the fact it will already be in service in Italy by then). Finally they’ll decide it’s only a few years to Tempest, so there’s no point in planning to upgrade any operationally and the upgrade budget can be better used strafing small boats in the Channel. A year later they’ll cancel Tempest and announce that they are planning on an assessment of buying F-47s.
Announcement of a confirmation of a proposal to consider convening a committee to examine the pros and cons of conducting an evaluation of the methodology of the assessment of a potential project to contemplate the options available for a future request for proposal from industry partners for Typhoon upgrades, subject to terms and conditions and HM Treasury and future economic performance and the prevailing price of butterfly wings in Siberia.
You’ve been watching ‘Yes, Prime Minister’ again
I’m noticing a distinctly sarcastic comments trend here lately !!!
Wouldn’t catch me being like that.