IFC 2024: UK leaning towards F-35 over Typhoon to increase combat mass

While its consortium partner countries have acquired additional Eurofighters to boost their air combat fleets, the UK is inclined more towards the F-35 (pictured). (Crown Copyright)

The UK is inclined to increase its combat aviation forces through a follow-on buy of the Lockheed Martin F-35B Lightning rather than acquiring more Eurofighter Typhoons, an official said at the IQPC International Fighter Conference (IFC) 2024 in Berlin on 6 November.

Answering a Janes question on Royal Air Force (RAF) future force plans in the context of the UK's other Eurofighter partner countries all placing new orders for the jet, the official who was speaking at the event under the Chatham House Rule said the anticipated follow-on order for the F-35B is where the country is leaning for its longer-term requirements.

“We have a foot in both [the F-35 and Eurofighter] camps, and for the RAF I very much see that the F-35 is where we are looking at to add combat mass. We are committed to an onward buy [of the F-35], so that is where we are looking,” he said, adding that the Eurofighter will retain a core component of the RAF's future force structure, with upgrades to maintain its operational capabilities.