The United Kingdom confirms its plan to dismantle Hurricane Trunch-1 fighters in the face of Russian missiles » Today Latest Stories

The UK Government has put an end to ongoing speculation surrounding the future of its fleet of 30 ‘Tranche 1’ Typhoon aircraft. Contrary to hopes that the aircraft could be reused or deployed, the government has confirmed its commitment to dismantling the aircraft for spare parts.

The Tranche 1 aircraft, which represents the initial operational capability of the Typhoon series, is scheduled to undergo a systematic “Reduce to Produce” programme. This initiative aims to salvage usable components from aircraft and contribute to the spare parts inventory of the wider Typhoon fleet.

This announcement was made in response to Inquiries From Clive Lewis, Labor MP for Norwich South, who requested clarification on the current status of Tranche 1 aircraft by submitting a parliamentary written question.

James Cartledge, Secretary of State, Ministry of Defence He responded Since February 2022, no Tranche 1 Typhoon aircraft has been withdrawn or donated to Ukraine.

“The Tranche 1 fleet will undergo a production reduction program to be stripped of usable parts to contribute to the Typhoon fleet’s spare parts inventory,” Cartledge said. This development was first reported in the UK Defense Journal.

As of now, there are 30 Tranche 1 aircraft on the military registry, with plans for 26 aircraft to leave service by the end of March 2025. However, the plan has raised concerns, particularly within the Defense Select Committee, about a potential gap in the country’s defense capability.

Last year, MP Mark Francois, before the Defense Select Committee, questioned the logic behind withdrawing these aircraft from service and suggested that at least some of them be placed in the war reserve.

Later, in September of this year, a prominent group of members of the British Parliament Released A survey suggests that the Royal Air Force’s (RAF) Tranche 1 Typhoon FGR4 fighters should be grounded rather than scrapped.

The investigation criticized the decision to bring forward the tranche 1 Typhoon retirement date to 2025 and highlighted the lack of a reserve force within the RAF. The representatives stressed that instead of making the plane obsolete, there is a possibility of it undergoing modernization.

However, despite concerns and discussions surrounding the retirement of the UK’s tranche 1 Eurofighter Typhoon, the Royal Air Force (RAF) has previously He stressed that the phased withdrawal of these aircraft will not pose operational challenges.

Why doesn’t the UK transfer Typhoon Tranche 1 aircraft to Ukraine?

Under the current strategy, the majority of the Royal Air Force’s (RAF) 30 Typhoon Tranche 1 aircraft are scheduled to end service on 31 March 2025, with only four aircraft earmarked for retention until 2027.

This decision will reduce the total number of Typhoon aircraft within the RAF to 107 aircraft, including 67 Tranche 2 aircraft and 40 Tranche 3 aircraft.

As the 2025 deadline approaches, discussions regarding the strategic consequences of this decision continue, providing an ongoing focal point for deliberations within the military and political spheres.

Earlier this year, reports suggested the UK might offer its Eurofighter Typhoon Tranche 1 fighter jets to Ukraine, which is currently locked in a conflict with Russia and seeking Western aircraft to counter Russian forces.

However, logistical challenges led the UK to reject the idea of ​​providing first-class aircraft to Ukraine, a decision confirmed by the Secretary of State at the Ministry of Defence.

Experts weigh in on the restrictions imposed on these aircraft, noting that they may not contribute significantly to the ongoing conflict and may face many obstacles.

Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) pointed out There are several key factors affecting the suitability of the Typhoon Tranche 1 to Ukraine’s needs. These include incompatibility with the Meteor missile and requesting US approval to export the AIM-120C8/D.

Furthermore, the Typhoon’s design, optimized for high altitudes and speeds, poses challenges in countering the threat of Russian long-range surface-to-air missiles (SAM).

The Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) also explained that the Typhoon’s air-to-ground capabilities are limited by Paveway II bombs with the Litening III targeting platform, making it less effective in the threat environment on the Ukrainian front lines.

Additionally, it highlighted concerns about the continued operation of these fighters in Ukraine, given the country’s sparse air bases. The Typhoon’s lower air intakes make it vulnerable to engine damage from foreign object debris (FOD), a common problem in the relatively strict rules the Ukrainian air force uses to avoid Russian strikes.

In essence, while the idea of ​​supplying Typhoon Trunch 1 aircraft to Ukraine was initially considered, logistical, operational and strategic constraints have led the UK to rule out such assistance, focusing on the complex challenges involved in supporting Ukraine’s defense needs amid the ongoing conflict.