The UK’s Typhoon force experienced its busiest year ever, marking an “unprecedented” number of operational hours flown, according to RAF Group Captain Matt D’Aubyn, the Typhoon Programme Director.
In a media briefing at the Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT), D’Aubyn shared that the Typhoon force flew over 22,000 hours last year, achieving its second highest total since its formation, and registering its highest ever operational hours.
This intense activity reflects the RAF’s efforts in providing Quick Reaction Alert support to the North, South, and Falkland Islands, ongoing Middle East operations under Operation Shader, and enhanced NATO air policing in Eastern Europe.
“We have continued to project globally on exercises to maintain those really high-end skill sets, exercises like Red Flag and Arctic Challenge exercise in Sweden,” stated D’Aubyn.
The current conflict in Ukraine has reaffirmed the need to maintain Typhoon’s superior capabilities. D’Aubyn emphasised, “The war in Ukraine has shown that control of the air remains a vital enabling function for any military operation… That is why we need a Typhoon programme that outpaces the threats and sustains our operational advantage to continue to deliver control of the air.”
In terms of enhancing these capabilities, the Ministry of Defence (MOD) recently announced an £870 million contract award to BAE Systems to deliver the new European Common Radar System (ECRS) Mk2 radar. This development is expected to provide Typhoon with a continued operational edge into the next decade.
Also on the horizon is the integration of the Striker II helmet, which D’Aubyn described as an “absolutely vital capability for Typhoon” and “an integral part of the weapon system.” Phase One, up to the Preliminary Design Review, is on track for completion by the end of the year.
Good they are getting used. Pilots probably sign up for operational flying rather than just training. So long as there’s enough to do the job being asked of them and crews aren’t getting burned out.
Train some more pilots would seem to be the solution…..
Plenty of airframe house left even on the T1’s
Whilst I appreciate that scraping T1’s is all about money there is also the counter argument that T1’s are perfectly good enough for dealing with Mad Vlad’s scrap heap challenge. And a further argument about just having something just in case the ballon does go up. But I suspect the pilot training pipeline for T1 and the OCU has been shut down a while back so it is now T1’s are effectively a dead duck.
The excuse for getting rid of RAF T1 Typhoon, is that they would not meet new navigation standards. Leonardo offered to bring up Austrian T1 Typhoon to the new navigation standard for 175,000 euros per plane. Not much on a £80 million aircraft.
The fleet of T1’s has already been scrapped,apart from a couple of airframes. They all have reduced to parts, and stripped fuselage scrapped off.
The T1 two seaters have certainly been scrapped.
I didn’t think the wind down of the T1 single seat frames was that advanced as they were still being used for QRA?
Tranche 1 two seaters were mk T1’s.
The single seats were originally mk F2’s, subsequently upgraded to FGR4 spec.
No single seat FGR4s from tranche 1 as yet scrapped, although a number are now in storage.
I think there confusion as to the use of ‘T1’ I assumed you were referring to the original two seat T1 derivative, whereas I guess you were referring to Tranche 1…
Sorry my bad: I was referring to Tranche 1…..
We could have given them to ukraine, no? Waste not, want not.
We have at lease got a viable aircraft to work with.
O/T but important speech. Labour would shift defence focus to Europe and the Atlantic.
https://labour.org.uk/press/john-healey-speech-at-rusi-on-labours-core-principles-on-defence-and-security/
I don’t disagree with the bulk of what they’ve written but I don’t know how they’re going to fund a growing budget. Moreover, they don’t mention AUKUS which is an oversight but Brexit is mentioned 6 times. That’s a bit of an indicator. Britain’s problems are more fundamental and neither the Tories or Labour are equipped or mentally prepared to change the status quo. Fundamentally our economy is broken, like much of Western Europe and now the US we are saddled with enormous and growing debts that will only get exponentially more difficult with the aging population. The tax burden… Read more »
Well said. Wish more would realise these basic truths.
Putting aside the economic challenges I think the speech does make clear several key differences in defence posture between the parties. This text struck me: “National defence planning must in future be based on the threats we’re facing, not the economic interests we’re trying to pursue.”
I interpret this to mean that a labour government would try to generate economic growth more by domestic community renewable energy schemes, a massive increasing in affordable housebuilding and a buy UK policy rather than say, by relying on increasing global trade with Asia Pacific,
LONG ONE, SORRY. I don’t think the text says what the plan is economically, there’s not enough there to allow a conclusion about what their other plans are. But it sort of implies a pivot back from the Pacific. I’m not sure that’s a good idea because global everything is moving east. For me that implies a renewed focus on the Euro-Atlantic region which I think is not good and perhaps to my mind suggests they want the turn the UK into a EU satellite but as I mentioned, economic and population growth is not there. The EU zone is… Read more »
No apology for length necessary. The world is changing and there is a lot to reflect on. Agree your point on demographics. Present economic models require population growth and Europeans seem to have given up on babies and family – hence the requirement for immigration. Interestingly I think China might have a problem – their one child policy will come up against an ageing population. I don’t think there will be war between India and China. China is outward looking. India under Modi is inward looking. We need to focus on helping China to ‘westernise’. We have more influence there… Read more »
I really can’t understand this desire for mass population growth, either globally or on a national level. Personally, I can’t wait to see population levels drop, I’d go as far as to say we’re already overpopulated. Our climate and local environment can’t handle a population heading quickly towards 100 million, neither can our infrastructure, schools, transport, welfare, emergency services etc. And from a defence perspective, a growing population creates a growing demand for already dwindling resources, which will lead to a greater risk of conflict with nations like China. I don’t disagree with your economic outlook, I think it sounds… Read more »
Spot on with population growth, our model has been add people to grow GDP instead of growing GDP with with current population levels. Adding people = additional services and infrastructure are all needed to support it, its a busted model but its the easy option to up GDP. We’re starting to see population growth erode freedoms with politician wanting to impose restrictions on us to deal with their plans to further increase population. And our biggest loss is time, well spend more time queue and waiting in traffic, for public transport for services. Robbing us of the 1 thing we… Read more »
Within the next 20 years the UK population will almost certainly surpass 100 million could be up to 150 million with a net influx of people from Southern Europe which is fast becoming uninhabitable, as is North Africa due to climate change. Living in 45-50 degrees celsius heat for months at a time with zero prospect of being able to grow crops or have sustainable water supply is likely to force large population migration into northern Europe and the UK. The UK is wide open to this net migration into the country as it will bring inward investment, drive up… Read more »
No it mean they see AUKUS and Japan joining Tempest as economic rather than strategically necessary. Buy UK policy can be a fools errand, if there’s no competition for that kit then its like walking into a BMW dealer and saying I’m going to buy that car and will not be looking anywhere else. Can you imagine the salesman’s delight, the taxpayer may as well assume the position. If you nationalise you end up at at Tabant dealer instead.
So it isnt good to be too black and white about this. But in general I would say that for ‘commodities’ you buy on price; but remembering security of supply and stockpiles in a war scenario. For “circus acts”, if there is no domestic supplier for what you feel you must have then or the domestic option is unacceptably inferior there is no option but to import. But for strategic weapons you should not have got yourself into that position. You should have had an industrial strategy that ensured you have a domestic source of circus acts because these are… Read more »
Written in 2021 Labour commits to NATO, UK nuclear deterrence 4 new boats, international law and British industry. AUKUS and Ukraine 2022 invasion came after this was written. There will be some leftwing peacenik suggestions that Kier will have to squash flat. Some may imagine Britain wants to be a global power again, well we have big carriers thanx to new labour and we have a few very cost effective river class boats posted abroad. What is the appetite for taking and holding ground without local support? Not much.
Whoops! This is the update I was in fact looking for.
https://rusi.org/news-and-comment/rusi-news/shadow-home-secretary-unveils-labour-approach-national-security-keynote-rusi-address
We have never not been a global power.
The problem is Labour has been very specific, it wants to focus on North Atlantic, Artic and EU. They will not be posting Rivers in the pacific. And Labour consider our closest allies to be Europe not the United States or Canada which have big pacific coasts. Britain has not seen itself as global power for decades, but there’s nothing wrong with wanting to be a global participant when the need arrives. We’re heading in a direction where this will not be possible. Applying logic we don’t need those carriers to potter around the our side of the North Atlantic… Read more »
there is no difference between Labour and Thatcher then- she switched the RN from a expeditionary force to primarily an ASW force to cover the North Atlantic and North Sea approaches/ GIUK gap. The fact is the UK must protect its own territory and offer viable contributions to NATO- therefore I’d argue a focus on GIUK gap, sub sea threats and returning critical mass to the RN, RAF and Army are crucial. Ben Wallace stated it would take £5 billion per year to put the army back upto +82,000 troops- not sure why such a huge figure for an extra… Read more »
This speech is from 2021, so nothing new there. And your description is only a half-truth. Labour isn’t proposing to shift focus to Europe and the Atlantic, but to stick to the 1960s decision to focus on the NATO area. It’s the current government that has proposed and begun to implement a shift in focus to the Pacific. Mr Healey argued than the growing tensions there mean the UK’s commitments in northern Europe could become heavier and mentioned the high North in particular. While I think the UK should play a role in defending democracy in the Asia-Pacific region, his… Read more »
Not good idea to shrink back from the bigger world. Someone will only fill in any gaps and it will be harder to back in. Plus the UK is now planning to join the CPTPP. Also with several allies muscling up in Europe you’ve got to expect a bit more competition and jostling for influence
right on our own doorstep too.
That didn’t work out too well before when we withdrew all from East of Suez, or something like that decades ago. Islamic fundamentalist terrorism grew & ran riot(still is), CCP grew in power & reach thanks to our money mad financiers shutting most of our manufacturing down, exporting those jobs & industries largely to China, feeding the monster that threatens world peace & freedom today & into the future. As a globally trading nation with a permanent seat on the UN Security council we have a reponsability across the world. We’d all wish we could just withdraw into our local… Read more »
Several points there. I’m not sure you can say that Suez was the cause of the rise in Islamic fundamentalism. I think it was more to do with the rise in Egypt’s having the courage to assert its emerging sense of national identity. Its easy to mistake the emergence of national identity with an ideology you don’t agree with; the US made that mistake in Vietnam. Well, I agree with your point about exporting UK ( and US) jobs to China. But that’s the way capitalism works. People are a resource whose cost needs to be minimised if you want… Read more »
“People are a resource whose cost needs to be minimised if you want to maximise profit.” That a wildly pushed view, but then when you examine it capitalist have no interest in having poor population, who would they get money from. errr no one. Henry Ford one of the most famous capitalists of all time double salaries overnight and also cut their hours as his view was happier employees would be more efficient and productive. Even though Ford’s shop-floor employee wage costs had doubled, the cost savings from enormous improvements in productivity and employee retention were at least in part passed… Read more »
Note that I wrote maximise not optimise. Indeed capitalism in and of itself is neither good nor evil. The Henry Ford example is an illustration of what Adam Smith’s concept of enlightened self interest. If you exploit the people who do the work then the compact ( or covenant) between ‘master’ and ‘servant’ as it were, is broken. The quaker Cadbury family is an excellent example of how well things can work if employer and employee both subscribe to the same values. Saudi Arabia is an example of how a feudal society can work. Their oil money has bought schools,… Read more »
Hi all,
First time posting here but always. Enjoy reading the comments.
Could someone please break down Typhoon numbers (operational squadrons as well as what we have in maintenance/reserve).
Thanks
Gav
https://www.raf.mod.uk/aircraft/typhoon-fgr4/
And welcome 👍
Thanks Paul 😃
👍
https://i.imgur.com/bo0zqJ6.jpg
It’s even funnier the second time….
Any meme referencing that movie gets a thumbs up from me 👍🏼
😂🤣❤❤ love love love that film. Brilliant.
Brilliant! 🤣
Very funny. Well done.
Absolutely brilliant and yes, referencing Kelly’s Heroes will always get a thumbs up.
Anyone else thinking maybe that it’s sounding like there’s not enough capacity anymore?
There hasn’t been enough capacity in the RAF since the 2010 defense cuts.
Read Wing Commander Mike Suttons boom Typhoon. Absolute eye opener. The RAF have the best personnel in the world but not enough aircraft and resources for the job they’re asked to do n
Agreed. To me, that’s the main point I’d interpret from the data. I’m just surprised no one else is saying it.
Another sign that current military equipment will not last as long as previously as we are using them more
The typhoons are getting constant updates which compared with the larger numbers of obsolete aircraft is probably a better route to take.
The Vulcans went into the falklands with original 1940/50s sights and barely upgraded ECM gear.
Can’t imagine a Jaguar GR3, tornado F3 or hawk T1s with sidewinders cutting it today against a competent foe.
The budget is limited unfortunately and kit is expensive.
Leonardo just announced upgrades for praetorian ECM system. Last month the £870m for the radar upgrades that will total 2.35billion. November 2022 £120m for avionics support
Not necessarily saying limited numbers are an issue as you say keeping them up to date is better. Issue is the airframe flying hours are used up more quickly and therefore need replacing more regularly – save one way but spend another.
Do they have the aircrew. The training pipeline is broken?
Yes, they have the aircrew. They have a dedicated Typhoon display pilot and a team of engineers, planners and a team manager. So they aren’t that pushed.
Hi folks hope all is well.
This is all very well and obviously demonstrates the UK’s ability to project across many streams of required activities. However, my concern as like many on this site is the lack of numbers in both Typhoon and the level of projected number of F35s. Too many spread thinly!
Cheers,
George
Sorry should be too few spread thinly!
Mmm my concern is that they are using up Airframe hours at a faster rate than anticipated. And unfortunately we in U.K have 2 major problems. Problem 1 is that our MOD tends to work out replacement kit based on a normal predetermined rate. In other words they calculate to replace kit at “last minute.com” (and usually get it wrong). Problem 2 is that most of our Politicians live in the “here today and not my problem tomorrow” world, so ignore problem 1 whenever it is inconvenient. These 2 problems when combined mean we end up trying to replace things… Read more »
And now the same will happen to Atlas, taking on the Hercs roles as well as it’s own.
Yep and what is even worse is buying so few Wedgetails that they will be flogged to death from day one.
When this country is possibly going to war that IMHO is sheer criminal negligence.
Typhoon is designed to be worked hard. Designed to pull max G without overstressing the airframe. They have plenty of airframe life that will see them through well past 2040. It’s more about the mission profiles they fly. Op Shader for example is a lot of flying in very straight lines, not putting much stress on the airframe. Aircraft can even go into positive airframe management. Which means the gap between planned airframe maintenance actually increases because such little stress is being put through the airframe. They are not flying around pulling 9G everytime they go up. Same with QRA.… Read more »
Evidence if it was needed that binning the tranche 1’s without any replacement means the remaining 107 will be worked very hard for the rest of their lives.
Have read a rumour in a couple of places that there has recently been a very subtle shift within the MoD from saying a top up order is not on the cards to it at least not being completely ruled out.
Aren’t Spain, Italy and Germany all currently getting new tranches of the latest Typhoons?
That is correct – still very unlikely but the mood is changing.
Latest batch Typhoon with all the toys, new helmet and the natty new AESA is a banging bit of kit. I’d love to see us buy a top up order of these.
Let’s hope that shift continues. We could do with another 40 or so at least.
The problem is not the MoD though, it’s the treasury. The shift needs to happen there.
One big concern I have is that if we’re on 107 Typhoons by 2025 then 15-20 years from now, when we’re looking to introduce Tempest, is that the 107 will be further reduced to around 60-70 airframes, and that’s the number of Tempests HMG will be looking to purchase.
The Tempest system will not be based on Typhoon airframe numbers. Its a lot more complex than that.
If you don’t want a lot of really bad things to happen in the world, you must have a strong military to protect freedom, international law & deter evil advancing. Our weakness enables Russia & the CCP to spread power & influence worldwide as well as Islamic terrorism to prosper. If our Typhoon force can only field 50 operational aircraft & air F35B program 20-30 max atm, we’re way behind where we need to be. Any further cuts & we’ll have no right to occupy a permanent seat on the UN Security Council. We need real mature, talented leadership with… Read more »
I’d argue we’re pretty much at this level now and have been since the 2010 cuts. In 2015 when RAF deployed to Operation Shader against ISIS there were 107 Typhoon airframes in service with the RAF then with a further 42 yet to be delivered. The maximum number of Typhoons the RAF could deployed for that operation was just 6 aircraft and that was a stretch due to lack of resources. Just 6. The RAF deployed 69 Tornados F3 and GR1 to the Gulf War as well as a number of other combat aircraft such as Jaguar and Bucaneer. The… Read more »
So much attention has been given to the reduction in the number of RN escorts and the drop in headline army headcount that the massive decline in combat aircraft has attracted far less publicity. Since 2007, our combat jet fleet has fallen by 50%. Yet our Typhoon fleet is continually in use either in combat air patrol or ongoing strikes against ISIS. It is clear F35 will not be ordered in the numbers originally planned and UK weapon integration is still years away. An order for new build Typhoons, 50/60 say, would restore a lot of the lost strength and… Read more »
100% agree on adding an extra batch of jets to the fleet, Typhoon is an awesome piece of kit, especially with the planned upgrades, the work would keep BAE busy and skills fresh while they wait for Tempest production to start up. Typhoon is at the top of its game at the moment and I am sure that Tempest IOC will not have ‘full’ capability, just look at our F-35B’s, currently limited to Paveway-4 in attack mode while waiting for the software upgrade, which will be a game changer. I’ve said it before, with Tempest and F-35B in place there… Read more »
This is the folly of the budgetary crisis. RAF Typhoons and F-35s are being worked harder than they ever have and demands are increasing. We need more frames not fewer. I’m not sure if they ever retired the Tranche One birds or not but I recall them talking about it. For air policing work, why not keep them around? No they wont have all the bells and whistles the latest batch have but it has to be cheaper than knackering out the front line high end Typhoon and F-35 capability doing Bear intercept QRF NATO work, doesn’t it? How long… Read more »
Stryker II is an excellent bit of kit and better than the ones supplied for the F35, this will be a situational awareness game changer for the pilots and will mean Eurofighter getting closer to F35 in terms of data use. Still, need to keep ALL airframes and not slice anymore as its already thin on the ground….. like most of our military except for Generals, Admirals apparently
Are the stories true that Typhoon only has a 3,000 hour airframe life true or rubbish? I understand that US fighters generally have a 6,000 to 8,000 hour airframe life.
Typhoon has a stated Airframe life of 6,000 hours.
What platform will replace the Typhoon in the Saudi Air Force, Tempest?
Ask the Saudis.
Saudi Arabia is cosying up to China now so it might be one of their offerings.
The Saudis should ask the Uighurs what it’s like being a Moslem in China at the moment. Choose your friends carefully.
Dose the RAF have a Strike role any longer since the demise of the Tornado GR4? I thought that was what the F35 was ordered for but it seems to be largely diverted to the RN now for the carriers and we don’t seem to have enough for both roles.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Future_Combat_Air_System_(UK)
Aren’t we a nation trying to do everything with the one fleet( plus the limited number of F35s) that we used to do with three fleets of Typhoon, Harrier and Tornado? We need to either scale back our ambitions to match our resources or scale up our resources to match our ambitions. As amazing and multi role as the Typhoons have become, it must still come down to numbers too.
We still don’t have enough of them.
Not really related to this topic but I see the Philippines is close to signing a contract with Saab/ Sweden for JS39 Grippen fighters, with intention to purchase the enlarged lengthened body aircraft to increase range, payload and weapons selection options- up to and including items such as the LRASM or air launched Harpoon sized weapons. Although no contract yet signed it seems the Philippines is highly likely to sign up for this option rather than go for second hand F16s. 100+ aircraft are being discussed. A useful force to counter Chinese aggression and encroachment into the Philippines exclusive economic… Read more »