Since the three-year, £425m Project Centurion concluded in late 2018, RAF Typhoons have a bigger arsenal of weapons to call upon. This latest capability transformation is designed to increase Typhoon’s combat edge until its out-of-service date in the 2040s. Once the realm of the Tornado GR4, the Typhoon FGR4 is now the backbone of the RAF maintaining ongoing regular taskings and those of a contingency flavour. Of course, there is the Royal Navy and RAF F-35B combo which is currently big on capability but small in force size. A force focussed on the employment of the UK’s fledgling carrier strike capability. When underway with F-35Bs on her deck, HMS Queen Elizabeth looks a magnificent military sight. But remember, 60% of the air wing’s F-35Bs are US Marine Corps-owned metal. Consequently, RAF commanders wishing to deploy fast jet combat capability must call upon the Typhoon to conduct any shooting required.
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