BAE Systems, a major UK defence company, has paused the production of the fourth-generation multirole fighter jet, the Eurofighter Typhoon. The decision comes as there are currently no new buyers for the aircraft, according to reports from the Financial Times.
The publication indicates that the Warton plant is currently focused on delivering the final aircraft as part of a £5 billion order placed by Qatar in 2017.
An anonymous source familiar with the situation was quoted saying, “There is one fighter jet left in the hangar. Essentially, it`s waiting for completion and painting. As for the main assembly line, it`s stopped; there are no workers there.”
Meanwhile, attention is turning to future projects. Defense News previously reported information from Italian Air Force General Giandomenico Taricco stating that the contract for the next-generation European fighter under the joint UK-Japan-Italy GCAP programme is expected to be signed in 2026-2027. This GCAP fighter, planned to enter service in 2035, is intended to replace existing aircraft fleets, including Italian and British Eurofighter Typhoons, as well as Japanese F-2s.
