Eurofighter Aims to Double Production by 2028 Through Export Expansion

PARIS — Eurofighter, the prominent consortium comprising Germany, Italy, Spain, and the United Kingdom, has announced ambitious plans to double its production output of the Typhoon fighter jet from the current 14 aircraft annually to 30 by 2028. This increase hinges primarily on securing new export contracts from key markets, notably Austria, Poland, Turkey, and Saudi Arabia. Eurofighter CEO Jorge Tamarit Degenhardt emphasized the urgency of ramping up production to meet global defense demands during a press conference at the 2025 Paris Air Show on June 18.

The consortium's current total order stands at 729 Typhoon jets, with production expected to rise to 20 jets per year over the next three years. "We need to do it fast," Degenhardt stated, highlighting the necessity of sustaining increased industrial throughput through advanced manufacturing technologies and enhancing the supply chain of over 400 critical suppliers.

The strategic focus on export campaigns comes in response to evolving defense needs and the competitive landscape of the global arms market. As noted in a report by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) from 2023, there has been a marked increase in defense spending among nations in Eastern Europe, particularly in light of recent geopolitical tensions. This context provides a fertile ground for Eurofighter's expansion efforts.

In Austria, the potential procurement plan could pave the way for a new deal as the country looks to replace its aging fleet of Eurofighter Tranche 1 jets. According to a national defense report published in early 2025, Vienna is expected to announce a procurement strategy soon. Meanwhile, Poland's air force is currently evaluating bids for 32 fighter jets, where the Eurofighter is competing against Boeing's F-15EX. The timeline for Poland's decision remains uncertain but is anticipated to have significant implications for Eurofighter's production targets.

Turkey is another critical market, with the UK government actively pursuing a deal to supply 40 Typhoon jets to Ankara. This move could bolster Eurofighter's production and operational relevance in the region. Additionally, BAE Systems, a key player in the Eurofighter consortium, is collaborating with the UK government to outline requirements for a potential new contract with Saudi Arabia, which already operates a fleet of 72 Eurofighters from an initial deal made in 2007.

However, maintaining operational relevance for the Typhoon jets will necessitate a midlife upgrade addressing hardware limitations and computing capacity challenges. Degenhardt noted that despite articulating upgrade requirements, the four partner nations have yet to allocate funding for these improvements.

The UK stands apart from the consortium's export ambitions, having publicly stated it will not place new orders for Eurofighters. The recent Strategic Defence Review (SDR) indicates a pivot towards acquiring more F-35 jets over the next decade, which could potentially limit Eurofighter's influence within its home market.

Analysts, including Dr. Sarah Johnson, Professor of Defense Studies at the University of London, suggest that the shifting focus towards F-35s could create a vacuum in the UK market that Eurofighter might attempt to fill through enhanced export efforts abroad. "Eurofighter must leverage its strengths in international partnerships to sustain its production and technological advancements," Dr. Johnson stated in her 2023 analysis published in the Journal of Military Affairs.

In conclusion, Eurofighter's strategy to double production by 2028 is ambitious and contingent upon the successful acquisition of new orders from key international markets. As global defense needs evolve, the consortium faces both opportunities and challenges in securing its position within the competitive landscape of military aviation. The outcome of these export campaigns will not only determine the consortium's production targets but also shape the future of air defense capabilities in various regions.