The 100th Typhoon emerges from the hangar at RAF Leuchars for its first training sortie [Picture: Corporal Dave Blackburn RAF, Crown Co...
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| The 100th Typhoon emerges from the hangar at RAF Leuchars for its first training sortie [Picture: Corporal Dave Blackburn RAF, Crown Copyright/MOD 2013] |
The Royal Airforce's (RAF) most recently formed squadron has taken delivery of the latest state-of-the-art Typhoon Fighter jet.
The unit, No 1 (Fighter) Squadron , which was reformed just 4 months ago at RAF Leuchars in Scotland, is now home to the 100th Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jet to enter service.
The RAF continues to move towards a combined fleet of Typhoon and Joint Strike Fighter jets, two of the world’s most modern and capable multi-role combat aircraft.
The F-35 Joint Strike Fighter is a fifth-generation stealth aircraft which represents a step-change in the UK’s combat air capability.
Typhoon is already delivering air defence for the UK and the Falkland Islands, and its ground attack capabilities were instrumental to allied operations over Libya.
The U.K MoD is to spend a total of £18 billion on combat aircraft over the next 10 years which includes continuing investment in Typhoon to bring the latest Tranche 2 and 3 aircraft fully into service.
This latest delivery comes after the MOD signed a £25 million contract with Raytheon in December for more Paveway IV precision weapons for the RAF.
These weapons are to be carried by Tornados in Afghanistan and will also provide a key capability to be carried by the Typhoon and Lightning II (Joint Strike Fighter) aircraft.
The contract will sustain around 450 jobs at Raytheon UK’s plants: 300 at Glenrothes in Scotlandand 150 in Harlow, Essex.
