Typhoon remains “at heart of UK defence” despite claims production has stopped

A new report published by advisory firm Oxford Economics has disclosed the impact of BAE Systems’ Air business, emphasising the importance of its work on combat aircraft such as the Typhoon fighter programme on the UK economy.

According to Oxford Economics, BAE Systems Air business contributed £5 billion (US$6.3 billion) to UK GDP in 2023, along with £2.6 billion in export revenue – a figure that has doubled since 2016 – and £220 million in tax revenues to the UK government. The company also supports more than 70,000 jobs in the UK.

The report’s publication followed a union letter written by Steven McGuinness to the Slough MP Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi on behalf of BAE Warton Unit AMMSS Joint Shop Stewards Committee and BAE Warton Unit Professional Staff Negotiating Committee. In the letter, McGuinness expressed concern over there being no further UK orders for the aircraft and claimed that “production has stopped” for the British-built Typhoon.

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The letter stated: “We feel a domestic order will give other nations considering buying Typhoon off the UK (Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Egypt and Poland among others) the confidence to invest in the platform providing export revenue to the country and ensuring the longevity of our sites.

“We would like the British Government to commit to ordering a squadron of 24 Typhoon jets,” it continued. “It must be noted that we are the only partner nation in the Eurofighter consortium that hasn’t committed to buying new aircraft. A domestic order will not only fulfil a military requirement for the RAF in these unstable times but will also ensure that vital skills required to build the next generation aircraft, GCAP, are retained at Warton Unit.”

In response to the letter, a BAE Systems’ spokesperson told Shephard: “Typhoon manufacturing is currently underpinned by the orders from Qatar, Germany and Spain which will ensure continuity of production of major units beyond the late-2020s.”

While McGuinness voiced unease with reports that officials have expressed the RAF’s preference for an “onward buy” of F-35 aircraft over that of the Typhoon, Eurofighter has existing orders with Spain and Germany and is eyeing 138 potential export orders for its aircraft. Improvements to the Typhoon are also ongoing, with the ECRS Mk2 radar making its first flight in September 2024.

In the report’s foreword, BAE Systems Air group managing director Simon Barnes said: “As the UK’s sovereign combat air provider, we do not underestimate the important role we play in sustaining military capability and supporting the Armed Forces.”

Speaking at the International Fighter Conference in Berlin in November 2024, Stephan Miegel, chief operating officer – programmes at Eurofighter Jagdflugzeug GmbH, said that the holding company was still looking at potential exports for the Typhoon from various nations: 40 for Turkey, a second lot of 12 for Saudi Arabia and a second batch of 54 from Qatar.

The previous batch of Qatar orders were handed over during a formal roll-out at BAE System’s Warton facility in 2022, where its final assembly line for the aircraft is based.

Kevin Craven, CEO of ADS, a UK-based aerospace and defence trade organisation, also doubled down on BAE System’s contribution to the UK economy, noting: “Collectively, the UK’s aerospace sector creates 104,000 jobs across the country and ensuring the sector thrives is deeply important for securing UK advantage.”

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