Typhoon production halted?

[Malcy]

Saw this today as a headline from the FT. Someone has also posted on X.

‘British-made Typhoon production grinds to a halt raising fears about UK defence skills'

'Work on final assembly line has wound down after dearth of new orders for the combat aircraft'

Anyone have a link to the full text or a view?

[sschofield]

https://www.ft.com/content/a5646859-481 ... 3d5a1d9f2e

[RubyRoo]

https://archive.ph/BwjVs - link for non FT payers.

It makes sense for the UK gov to buy a further tranche of Typhoon. Keeps the production lines going (if orders from Saudi/elsewhere aren't imminent) and Tranche 4 comes with the new radar.

They could always RTP the very early tranche 2 aircraft. I don't think that's sensible but if affordability is a big concern it's an option.

[TonyO]

Important to say that while final assembly of the Typhoon has finished at Warton, production of UK elements for the aircraft is accelerating because of the orders from Germany, Italy and Spain. Not ideal, but not that significant that final assembly is at a standstill.

[Malcy]

thanks everyone … I think an email will be departing from here in Lossie to our SNP Westminster MP and to the folks at 10 Downing Street.

[Malcolm]

I think there is considerable optimism that an order for 40 or so Typhoons for Turkey is well up the pipeline. Some sources say it'll be a mix of ex-RAF Tranche 1's and new builds, others say it's 40 new builds. Of course there is a risk that the Turks are just using this as leverage on the US to approve the sale of more F-16's, so until a contract is signed I wouldn't be counting any chickens.

[Thunder]

The Turkish F-35 saga could be about to take another twist that would make any Typhoon deal obsolete

[birdieb]

Important to say that while final assembly of the Typhoon has finished at Warton, production of UK elements for the aircraft is accelerating because of the orders from Germany, Italy and Spain. Not ideal, but not that significant that final assembly is at a standstill.

I wouldn't say "not that significant" making component parts and assembling finished aircraft aren't the same. It will be important for GCAP and another other future programmes that the line isn't halted for long.

[Freeman Lowell]

Meanwhile, we do have the BAe Systems Combat Air Demonstrator in build, 'somewhere in Lancashire'.
Freeman

[sschofield]

https://archive.ph/BwjVs - link for non FT payers.

It makes sense for the UK gov to buy a further tranche of Typhoon. Keeps the production lines going (if orders from Saudi/elsewhere aren't imminent) and Tranche 4 comes with the new radar.

They could always RTP the very early tranche 2 aircraft. I don't think that's sensible but if affordability is a big concern it's an option.

Sorry, I'm not a subscriber but it let me see the whole article on the first attempt! Then put up a paywall!