The Typhoon combat aircraft programme has reached a historic milestone, passing one million flying hours – a landmark moment that comes at a critical time for national and European security.

Typhoon, also known as the Eurofighter Typhoon, is the backbone of UK combat air defence, vital to the defence of the skies above UK and NATO allies and supporting current operations at home and abroad. The programme supports more than 20,000 UK jobs, contributing £1.4 billion to the economy annually.

Primarily based at two main operating bases at RAF Coningsby and RAF Lossiemouth and deployed forward to multiple locations, for more than two decades Typhoon has demonstrated adaptability across air policing, joint patrol initiatives, combat operations and Quick Reaction Alert duties.

The programme is the result of a successful multinational collaboration between the UK, Germany, Italy and Spain who share collective responsibility for the design, development, manufacture, and in-service support of the aircraft. Nine nations currently operate Typhoon, with Türkiye set to become the tenth following a recent export deal.

Lyndon Hoyle, DE&S Typhoon Team Leader, said:

“Reaching one million flying hours reflects the exceptional capability, reliability and operational importance of Typhoon to the UK and our NATO allies. This achievement is the result of strong collaboration between DE&S, the RAF, industry and the wider Typhoon enterprise. Alongside the Core Nations – Germany, Italy and Spain – and Export partners, we are proud to be part of an alliance and an Enterprise that helps keep the skies safe above Europe and our Allies.

“Furthermore, through the current DE&S-awarded long term Typhoon Total Availability Enterprise (TyTAN) contract we have transformed how we support this aircraft, improving efficiency and increasing availability for the frontline.  Together with Rolls-Royce support contracts for the reliable EJ200 engine, TyTAN has helped ensure the Typhoon fleet is ready for 24/7 Quick Reaction Alert operations, protecting UK and NATO airspace day and night, and sustaining a high operational tempo.

“The Strategic Defence Review also reaffirmed Typhoon’s vital role in our national defence, and this milestone demonstrates our commitment to ensuring the aircraft remains at the heart of NATO’s collective security for decades to come.”

The programme supports over 100,000 jobs across 400 companies in Europe. As Europe’s largest Defence programme, Eurofighter continues to demonstrate its critical role in maintaining European security and sustaining the continent’s defence industrial base.