European multirole fighter, renowned for service in multinational military operations since late 20th century, noted for superior air-to-air and air-to-surface capabilities. Key figures: top speed 2,495 km/h, range 3,790 km, service ceiling 16,765 m, max takeoff weight 23,500 kg, unit price $90M, built 589. In service with 9 air forces as of 2026 — Germany (138), United Kingdom (111), Italy (93) and 6 others.
| Crew | 1 |
| Length | 16.0 m (52.4 ft) |
| Wingspan | 11.0 m (35.9 ft) |
| Height | 5.3 m (17.3 ft) |
| Wing area | 51.2 m² (551.1 sqft) |
| Empty weight | 11,000 kg (24,251 lbs) |
| Max. takeoff weight | 23,500 kg (51,809 lbs) |
| Powerplant | 2 × turbofans Eurojet EJ-200 9,163 kgf each |
| Ejection seat | Martin-Baker Mk 16A |
| Maximum speed | 2495 km/h (Mach 2.5) |
| Operational range | 3,790 km (2,355 mi) |
| Service ceiling | 16,765 m (55,003 ft) |
| Climb rate | 315.0 m/s (1033.5 ft/s) |
Germany
138 +58
United Kingdom
111
Italy
93 +24
Saudi Arabia
71
Spain
68 +45
Qatar
24 +12
Kuwait
17 +11
Austria
15
Oman
12
Italy
Two Eurofighter Typhoons sustained minor shrapnel damage during Iranian missile strike on Ali Al Salem Air Base, Kuwait; both temporarily grounded for inspection.
Damaged
Germany
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German budget committee approved procurement of 20 additional Eurofighters for future delivery.
Ordered
The Eurofighter Typhoon is a European twin-engine, supersonic, canard delta wing multirole fighter manufactured by a consortium of Airbus, BAE Systems, and Leonardo through Eurofighter Jagdflugzeug GmbH. Developed jointly by the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, and Spain, the aircraft entered operational service in 2003. Originally designed as an air-superiority fighter, the Typhoon is known for high agility in aerial combat and its capability to execute air defence, reconnaissance, and precision ground-attack missions.
Development began in 1983 under the Future European Fighter Aircraft programme involving Britain, Germany, Italy, Spain, and initially France, which departed to construct the Dassault Rafale independently. The British Aerospace EAP technology demonstrator first flew on 6 August 1986, followed by the maiden flight of the Eurofighter prototype on 27 March 1994. The aircraft was named Typhoon in September 1998 when initial production contracts were signed. Managed by the NATO Eurofighter and Tornado Management Agency, total procurement reached 680 aircraft by November 2023 across partner nations and export clients.
The airframe features a 53-degree sweepback cranked delta wing, active canards, and 82% composite construction made primarily of carbon fibre and glass fibre. Flight control is managed by a quadruplex digital fly-by-wire system governing intentionally relaxed stability. Propulsion is provided by two Eurojet EJ200 turbofans rated at 60 kN dry and over 90 kN with afterburner, enabling supercruise up to Mach 1.5. Target tracking and defense rely on the Captor pulse-Doppler or ECRS active electronically scanned array radar, the PIRATE infrared search and track sensor, and the Praetorian defensive aids sub-system.
The Typhoon possesses 13 hardpoints carrying over 9,000 kg of payload, alongside an internal 27 mm Mauser BK-27 revolver cannon with 150 rounds. Air-to-air missile options include the AIM-120 AMRAAM, MBDA Meteor, ASRAAM, IRIS-T, and AIM-9 Sidewinder. Air-to-surface armaments comprise Paveway II/IV guided bombs, Brimstone, Storm Shadow, Taurus KEPD 350, and Marte ER anti-ship missiles.
The Typhoon saw its combat debut in 2011 enforcing a no-fly zone and launching ground strikes in Libya during Operation Unified Protector. Royal Air Force and Royal Saudi Air Force Typhoons later conducted strike operations against ISIL targets in Iraq and Syria, while Saudi aircraft were deployed in Yemen. The type handles primary quick reaction alert air defence duties for operating nations and has been exported to Austria, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait, and Qatar.
An Italian Eurofighter on NATO Baltic Air Policing duty destroyed an unidentified drone over eastern Latvia before dawn on 14 August, the second time the alliance's quick-reaction force has shot one down over the country this year.
BAE Systems revealed Brontanax at the Farnborough International Airshow on July 22, an uncrewed autonomous jet roughly the size of a Hawk trainer, designed to fly alongside RAF Typhoons and targeting a first flight in 2027.
The first of 38 Tranche 4 Eurofighters ordered by Berlin under Project Quadriga flew for the first time at Airbus' Manching plant on July 14, with delivery to the Luftwaffe expected later this year and the full batch due by 2030.
The trinational GCAP Agency on July 3 awarded a £4.6 billion ($6.1 billion), 18-month contract to Edgewing, the BAE Systems-Leonardo-JAIEC joint venture, to complete concept work and begin detailed design of the sixth-generation fighter targeted for service entry in 2035.
