RAF in negotiations for third batch of Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft

The RAF is set to receive a third batch of Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft after Prime Minister Gordon Brown's announcement today, Thursday 14 May 2009, that the UK will move ahead with its international partners with the final stages of procuring the multi-role combat aircraft.

The NATO Eurofighter Tornado Management Agency (NETMA) will continue negotiations with industry with a view to getting the best possible deal for the partner nations (UK, Germany, Italy and Spain). Negotiations will address both procurement and support costs.

The Typhoon provides the RAF with a highly capable and extremely agile multi-role combat aircraft, capable of being deployed in the full spectrum of air operations, such as air policing, peace support, and high intensity conflict. 

The initial production aircraft will be deployed primarily as air-superiority fighters, but will quickly be equipped with a potent precision ground-attack capability.

The Prime Minister said:

"I am pleased that we are moving forward with this important programme with our partner nations. This will strengthen Britain's defence capability, and will create new jobs in advanced manufacturing that Britain needs to emerge stronger and fitter from this global downturn."

The MOD will now initial the ministerial agreement which the other partner nations (Germany, Italy and Spain) signed on 2 April 2009, and which contains a statement of principles, including the need to achieve significant through-life savings.

The Defence Secretary, John Hutton, said:

"We look forward to receiving an affordable bid from European industry that will allow us to proceed with a programme that will deliver advanced multi-role aircraft to the Royal Air Force and maintain high-technology skills and industrial capability across the UK and Europe. Subject to the satisfactory outcome of these negotiations, I hope that we will be in a position to sign a contract later this year."

The contract for the third tranche of Typhoon aircraft will be signed once there is a satisfactory conclusion to negotiations, and each partner nation's approving authority has accepted the terms of agreement.

At peak production, the Typhoon programme will help sustain 5,000 jobs at BAE Systems, 4,000 throughout Rolls-Royce and its supply chain, and up to 16,000 in total in the UK aerospace industry.

• BAESystems |
• Italy |
• RAF |
• announcement |
• contract

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