Fighter jet row with Germans to ‘cost Britain 6,000 defence jobs’

Germany blocks multi-billion deal, leading to job losses

Britain is facing a potential loss of 6,000 defence jobs and a decade without homebuilt fighter jets due to a major dispute with Germany, it has been revealed. The German government is blocking a deal to sell 48 Typhoon fighter jets to Saudi Arabia, a move that could have serious consequences for the British defence industry. If the deal is blocked, production lines at BAE Systems, the UK's largest defence contractor, would be forced to close immediately.

Germany's concerns over Saudi Arabia's use of jets

Germany, which has a significant stake in the Eurofighter Typhoon programme, is refusing to allow the sale to Saudi Arabia due to concerns that the jets could be used to bomb Yemen. Instead, France is now in line to secure the lucrative deal by offering its Rafale fighter jets to the Saudis. Diplomatic efforts led by National Security Adviser Sir Tim Barrow to resolve the dispute have so far been unsuccessful. A deadline for the deal looms next month.

UK's future fighter jet plans

The UK plans to phase out over 100 Typhoon jets by 2025, replacing them with 47 F-35B Lightning aircraft from the US. However, the development of Britain's 4th generation GCAP (future combat air system) fighter, in collaboration with Japan and Italy, is not expected to be ready until the 2030s. There is a £15 billion risk to the UK's combat air industrial base, with Typhoon production lines set to close if no further orders are received and GCAP production not ramping up until the 2030s. This could have a significant impact on the 6,000 people directly employed by the Typhoon programme and the 28,000 in the supply chain.

Hope for Typhoon exports and wartime production

Despite the setback, there are ongoing efforts to explore other potential export markets for the Typhoon. Additionally, a defence source mentioned that in the event of a world war, the UK would be able to restart or increase Typhoon production within the country. The UK government has reassured its commitment to maintaining a strategic defence relationship with Saudi Arabia.