Eurofighter Typhoon Specs, Variants, Weapons and Operators

The Eurofighter Typhoon is a twin-engine, Mach 2 multirole fighter built by a four-nation consortium, with more than 700 ordered and a new AESA radar that is extending its career into the 2040s. Developed by the UK, Germany, Italy and Spain, the Typhoon entered service in 2003 and remains the backbone of several European and Gulf air forces.

700+

Aircraft ordered, per the consortium

Mach 2

Maximum speed, class figure

2 x EJ200

Engines, about 90 kN each with afterburner

13

Weapon stations, carrying up to about 9,000 kg

What is the Eurofighter Typhoon

The Typhoon grew out of a 1980s project to replace Cold War fighters such as the Tornado and F-4. France left the program and built the Rafale instead, while the UK, Germany, Italy and Spain proceeded with a shared design. The prototype flew in 1994 and the aircraft entered service in 2003. Work is shared between BAE Systems, Airbus and Leonardo, and assembly lines sit in each partner country.

The airframe is a delta-wing, canard-equipped design that is aerodynamically unstable, a feature that helps it turn sharply and accelerate in combat. The pilot flies it through a quadruplex digital flight control system. The aircraft has limited stealth features, relying instead on speed, agility and a heavy weapon load. A fair comparison with its French rival is in our Rafale vs Typhoon guide.

Eurofighter Typhoon specifications

Eurofighter Typhoon key figures

Parameter	Value
Crew	1 (two-seat T variants for training)
Length	About 15.96 m
Wingspan	About 10.95 m
Maximum takeoff weight	About 23,500 kg
Engines	Two Eurojet EJ200 turbofans, about 90 kN each with afterburner
Maximum speed	About Mach 2
Service ceiling	About 19,800 m
Combat radius	About 1,300 km on air-to-surface missions, depending on loadout
Weapon stations	13 hardpoints, up to about 9,000 kg
Gun	One 27 mm Mauser BK-27 cannon

Sources: Eurofighter GmbH and air force data. Figures are rounded, and real performance depends on configuration.

Typhoon radar and weapons

Early Typhoons use the mechanically scanned CAPTOR-M radar. The major upgrade is the CAPTOR-E AESA radar, known as ECRS Mk1, which is being retrofitted to some fleets and delivered on new aircraft for Germany, Spain and others. A more advanced ECRS Mk2 version, which adds electronic attack functions, is in development for the UK. An AESA set improves detection range and jamming resistance, as explained in how AESA radar works.

The Typhoon’s signature air-to-air weapon is the Meteor, a ramjet-powered missile made by MBDA with a range that MBDA describes as well beyond 100 km. Other weapons include the AIM-120 AMRAAM, ASRAAM and IRIS-T missiles, the Storm Shadow and Taurus cruise missiles, Brimstone and Paveway IV precision weapons. The mix varies by customer.

Typhoon variants and tranches

Typhoon production tranches

Tranche	Period	Main changes
Tranche 1	2003 onward	Air-to-air focus, limited ground attack
Tranche 2	About 2008 onward	Improved avionics, multirole capability
Tranche 3A	About 2013 onward	Better computing, provisions for AESA and new weapons
Tranche 4	Recent orders	AESA radar, updated systems for Germany, Spain and others
Two-seat T variants	Throughout	Trainers that can also fight

Dates are approximate and vary between partner nations.

Germany and Spain are also adding dedicated electronic warfare variants, including Germany’s Eurofighter EK. Tranche 1 aircraft are being retired by some nations or sold to other users, and the UK has been trimming older jets as part of its fleet plans.

Who flies the Typhoon

The four partner nations are the main operators, along with Austria, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait and Qatar. Turkey agreed in 2025 to buy 20 new Typhoons, a reported multi-billion-dollar deal that also included used aircraft from Qatar and Oman. Additional orders from Germany, Italy and Spain have kept the production line open, while recent sales talks with other air forces have been reported. The total order book above 700 aircraft makes it one of the best-selling European fighters.

Cost is the other consideration. Unit prices depend heavily on the configuration and the customer, and published estimates run from roughly 100 million dollars for recent export deals upward, so they should be read as broad ranges. Operating costs are also higher than for single-engine rivals because two engines need maintenance. Supporters argue that the Typhoon’s long service life, European supply chain and ability to carry a large weapon load justify that price.

Typhoon combat record

The Typhoon flew strike missions over Libya in 2011 and later took part in coalition operations against Islamic State in Iraq and Syria. Saudi aircraft have operated over Yemen. European Typhoons regularly intercept Russian aircraft near NATO airspace and have been used in air policing over the Baltic states. Combat experience is smaller than the F-16’s, and the Typhoon has not faced a modern peer air force.

Editor’s read

The Typhoon’s big advantage is its performance envelope and a large, networked user base. Its weakness is cost and an export record that still depends on politics. The AESA radar and new weapons are what will keep it relevant through the 2040s.