What is the Typhoon aircraft?

The RAF Typhoon FGR.Mk 4 is a multi-role combat aircraft.

The Eurofighter Typhoon entered service with the Royal Air Force in 2003 and went on to be at the forefront of operations. 

Based at RAF Lossiemouth and RAF Coningsby, they are capable of being deployed for the full spectrum of air operations including air policing, peace support and high-intensity conflict.

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The RAF received its first operational squadrons at Coningsby, Lincolnshire, in 2004.

The Royal Air Force has the largest fleet of Eurofighter Typhoons with the 100th aircraft delivered to No 1 (Fighter) Squadron at RAF Leuchars in January 2013.

The Typhoon's most essential role is for Quick Reaction Alert for UK and Falkland Islands airspace, according to the RAF.

Detachments have also reinforced NATO air defence in the Baltic and Black Sea regions.

Countries using the Typhoon

It is used by nine squadrons in the RAF as well as the Typhoon Display Team based at RAF Coningsby.

According to The Eurofighter Typhoon consortium, "more than 550 Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft" have been delivered.

The aircraft is part of the air forces in nine countries: Germany, Italy, Spain, Austria, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait, Qatar and the UK's RAF.

Recent RAF Typhoon mission involvement

The primary role for the RAF is to protect the skies of the United Kingdom – the Typhoons remain on Quick Reaction Alert (QRA), ready to scramble at short notice.

Annually RAF Typhoons deploy to Romania as part of a NATO Air Policing mission, helping to protect alliance airspace in the region.

In Janurary Typhoons from RAF Lossiemouth-based 1 (Fighter) Squadron were in the US to practise complex combat drills as part of Exercise Red Flag.

Last year, four Typhoon jets from 12 Squadron deployed to Qatar, where they helped provide air security for the 2022 World Cup.

Typhoon's weaponry

In 2021, Typhoons were used to conduct air strikes in northern Iraq using Storm Shadow missiles for the first time and Paveway IV bombs during Operation Shader in Syria.

With its multi-role capability and variety of weapons, the Typhoon FGR4 is capable of engaging numerous target types.

The Typhoon can carry a vast range of Air-to-Surface weapons and can remain on task for long periods of time with large, flexible weapons loads.

It is armed with an internal 27mm Mauser cannon; ASRAAM, Meteor and AIM-120 AMRAAM air-to-air missiles, Enhanced Paveway II and Paveway IV precision-guided bombs and Storm Shadow and Brimstone air-to-ground missiles.

Watch: RAF Typhoons intercept Russian aircraft over the Baltic Sea in 2020.

The future of the Typhoon

It was announced this July that the fighter jets are to be fitted with the 'world's most advanced radar' as part of a £2.35bn investment.

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) said the state-of-the-art European Common Radar System (ECRS) Mk2 radar will further transform the Typhoon's control of the air.

An RAF Typhoon was painted in a full Union Flag colour scheme and was unveiled at RAF Coningsby last year.

The aircraft were used at air shows both at home and overseas in the 2021 and, also, 2022 display seasons.

The RAF's Typhoon jets completed a three-year upgrade in 2019 providing the fighters with the latest missile and software performance.

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From 2035, the Typhoon is set to be replaced by the RAF's next-generation combat aircraft, the Tempest.

As much as £2bn will be invested in the project.

Watch: The new Tempest concept.