Typhoon and F-35 sit at different points in their service lives, so replacing one does not remove the need to operate and improve the other. An aircraft's useful capability depends on both the currency of its technology and the experience accumulated in operating it. The expectation in this February 2025 discussion is that GCAP would begin entering service around 2035, leaving roughly another decade in which Typhoon needs to remain effective. Major Typhoon upgrades therefore address an existing operational requirement during development of its successor. Several fighter generations would also serve together after sixth-generation aircraft arrive. The projected force combines more numerous earlier designs with newer aircraft whose distinguishing ambition includes greater interconnection between systems.
Notable Point · 2:34:09-2:36:51
Why Typhoon still needs upgrades while GCAP develops
A replacement expected about a decade away leaves an immediate need to modernise Typhoon and plan for several fighter generations serving together.