| Summary/Abstract |
This article analyses the economic and industrial implications of the Eurofighter Typhoon programme. In an era of progressive reductions in European defence expenditure and exponentially increasing sophistication and cost of modern weapon systems development, European nations have pooled their resources for this major defence project. Although being founded on a sound concept, the Eurofighter programme has faced difficulties in the form of cost overruns, and the aircraft has been troubled by system defects and shortcomings in its air-to-ground capabilities, the combination of which has earned it critics, adversely affected its export record and cast doubt over its future. However, the Typhoon is a highly capable fighter, and sensor and weapons upgrades are increasingly bringing it closer to fulfilling its multi-role potential. The programme’s importance also goes beyond the aircraft itself and the capability its possession affords, as it supports a large number of highly skilled jobs and therefore has far-reaching implications for Europe maintaining the conditions and skills necessary for a competitive and independent indigenous fighter-aircraft manufacturing capacity.
|