During discussions within the British government regarding an expansion of the order for 24 additional U.S.-made F-35 stealth fighters, the Unite union has expressed its stance in favor of purchasing a new batch of Eurofighter jets instead to equip the Royal Air Force, aiming to ensure the sustainability of local industrial capabilities associated with the program. Specifically, the union has advocated for a purchase proposal of the latter type of aircraft that maintains the same quantity, which is estimated to secure a large number of jobs in the UK.
Expanding on the details of the argument presented by the union, it is worth noting that a new purchase of F-35 fighters, currently being considered to expand the fleet to 74 units for the British carrier strike groups, would sustain approximately 2,000 jobs for a period of two to three months. On the other hand, the union’s counterproposal for 24 new Eurofighters is claimed to support 26,000 jobs at BAE Systems, Rolls Royce, Leonardo, and the rest of the associated supply chain for a period of two years.
As of now, it is useful to recall that the other three members of the Eurofighter program—namely Germany, Spain, and Italy—have announced their own plans to purchase additional batches of the European fighter to replace their older variants, leaving the UK as the only partner that has yet to follow suit. Additionally, with the British local industry focusing efforts and funds on the new project for the future sixth-generation fighter, known as the Global Combat Air Program, the prospects of sustaining the production structure associated with the Eurofighter are at evident risk, with its current center located at BAE Systems’ facilities in Warton.
Against this backdrop, Sharon Graham, the general secretary of the Unite union, stated that the new Labour government “must now take the lead and make the clear and unequivocal investment decisions that workers and their employers desperately need.” On previous occasions—most notably in November 2024—it was reported that the union’s request had been conveyed through letters addressed to the UK Parliament’s defense committee, without any direct observable effect.
Meanwhile, industry officials have sought to calm the concerns described, arguing to specialized media that the gap worrying the unions could be bridged by the arrival of export orders for the Eurofighter platform. In particular, reference is made to potential deals to be finalized with the governments of Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey, which previously faced significant challenges in obtaining approval from the program’s partner nations, especially Germany.
However, the union has argued that a future purchase of Eurofighter jets for the Royal Air Force should not necessarily be ruled out because of this, but rather should serve as an incentive to drive potential acquisitions from these countries, as it would signal confidence in the platform’s future. As expressed by Unite’s national officer for defense and aerospace, Rhys McCarthy: “Selling the Typhoon abroad can contribute to our GDP, but we cannot expect foreign governments to buy our fast jets if our own government does not.”
Finally, it is worth noting that while this debate unfolds, BAE Systems is working on a new AESA radar to equip the Eurofighters, a system expected to be known as the European Common Radar System (ECRS) Mk2. With this, the company aims to enhance the aircraft’s air target detection, tracking, and engagement capabilities, as well as its electronic warfare and communication capabilities. Over the past year, this new technology has made significant strides toward incorporation into British fighters, with reports indicating the approval of its critical design review (CDR) and installation in the first test aircraft.
Images used for illustrative purposes
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