RAF deploys four Typhoons to Falklands

The UK Royal Air Force (RAF) has deployed four Eurofighter Typhoon FGR.4 combat aircraft to the Falkland Islands/Malvinas for air defence duties.

The aircraft, which departed from their homebase at RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire on 12 September, were accompanied by aerial refuelling tanker aircraft for their 8,000-mile journey to the South Atlantic island chain.

A Ministry of Defence (MoD) spokesperson told Jane's that the Typhoons will spend a period of time conducting joint operations with the incumbent Panavia Tornado F.3s to ensure a smooth transition from one type to the other. The F.3s will return to the UK aboard chartered Antonov An-124 transport aircraft.

The Typhoons, drawn from 3 Squadron (which provides the southern portion of the UK's Quick Reaction Alert [QRA] cover) will be assigned to 1435 Flight at Mount Pleasant airfield for the purpose of deterring any incursions from Argentina, which lays claim to the islands.

This is the first overseas operational deployment for the Typhoon. Although it will be utilised primarily as an air defence fighter, it is likely that the RAF will use the opportunity to further develop and hone the aircraft's multirole ground attack capability.

For the air defence role the Typhoon will be equipped with the Advanced Short Range Air-to-Air Missile (ASRAAM), Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM) and an internal Mauser 27 mm cannon (the same weapons fit as the outgoing Tornado F.3).