As the year draws to a close, speculation around the UK’s long-awaited order for Typhoon jets has been reignited following a lively exchange in the House of Commons. Defence Minister Maria Eagle’s recent comments suggest that the government may finally be ready to make an announcement, as pressure from MPs and industry figures intensifies over the delays.
The issue was raised by Conservative MP Andrew Snowden during a Commons session, where he pointed out that the UK’s Eurofighter partners—Germany, Italy, and Spain—have already placed significant orders. He called attention to Spain’s order of 25 Typhoons in December and Italy’s similar move shortly after. Yet, the UK government has remained silent on its own commitment to the 25 jets needed for the Royal Air Force (RAF).
Snowden, clearly frustrated, asked, “So will the minister spread some festive cheer into the new year and give us an update on where the government is with placing that order… a delayed Christmas present for the UK defence industry?”
A Glimmer of Hope
While the festive cheer Snowden hoped for didn’t materialise in the form of a firm commitment, Maria Eagle’s response hinted that things could soon move forward. The Defence Minister acknowledged the importance of supporting both domestic production and export opportunities. “I recognise the point that the honourable gentleman is making. It’s certainly true that exports, in addition to production for us, for our own use, are important,” Eagle remarked.
Though she stopped short of offering a clear timeline, Eagle’s comments suggested that the government was making progress. “We’re working very, very hard on some of the export campaigns. And I can’t say any more than that at present, but I can assure him [we’re] working very, very hard,” she assured the House.
In a light-hearted moment, she teased Snowden with the suggestion that a Typhoon announcement might coincide with a future occasion: “Perhaps it won’t be a Christmas present, but perhaps—I don’t quite know when his birthday is—but a present sometime later on.”
Rising Pressure and Growing Concerns
The lack of a recent order has raised serious concerns, with Snowden emphasising the economic importance of the BAE Systems Warton site to the North West and the broader UK defence sector. As the MP pointed out, the UK’s last Typhoon order was placed back in 2009, as part of the programme’s third tranche. Since then, production has slowed while other Eurofighter nations, like Germany, Spain, and Italy, have moved forward with fleet expansions.
Snowden has also drawn attention to a worrying oversight: the RAF’s potential order for 24 additional Typhoons wasn’t included in the latest budget, despite growing demands for these advanced aircraft.
Without a fresh order from the UK, industry experts warn that production gaps could destabilise the domestic defence supply chain, risking vital jobs at key facilities like Warton. The Typhoon fleet plays a critical role in the UK’s defence capabilities, particularly in quick reaction alert missions, and a lack of investment could undermine the RAF’s operational readiness.
Strategic Defence Review and the Road Ahead
The government has pointed to its ongoing Strategic Defence Review (SDR) as a determining factor in future procurement decisions. Although Eagle’s comments were less than definitive, her acknowledgment of the review’s role suggested that there might be a breakthrough for Typhoon supporters in the near future.
As the pressure builds, it seems the UK’s commitment to Typhoon production is drawing closer, though whether it will come in time to avoid gaps in the supply chain remains to be seen.
