The image published on the official Eurofighter website shows that Typhoon fighter carries a total of 14 rockets of all kinds. In this special configuration, Typhoon carries Brimstone missiles, SPEAR 3 missiles, Paveway guided bombs, AIM-120 AMRAAM missiles, Meteor missiles
If only Brimstone and SPEAR 3 are to be brought along, the number of fighter missiles Europe can carry is even more impressive. “With a ‘monster’ configuration, the Typhoon fighter is much more powerful than the F-35 when operating in the same mode but still ensures its maneuverability,” wrote Eurofighter’s web.
With the Meteor 5th generation interceptor missile alone, the Typhoon will be enough to make a difference between the Typhoon and America’s 5th generation aircraft, the source added.
“Meteor is one of the most modern lines of air-to-air missiles of the MBDA and in the world today. It was developed by MBDA to be compatible with all types of fighters by European standards.
Meteor is designed to destroy any air threat in the 21st century, with a super-long range up to 300km and can operate in all weather conditions to electronic suppression of the enemy.
In addition to the power and flexibility, what makes this new generation fighter so attractive is its relatively low operating cost. Although not disclosed specific numbers, but the manufacturer said that they are equivalent to operating costs of the US F-16 fighter production today.
This is one of the reasons why Germany decided to upgrade the Typhoon to a stronger configuration and cancel the F-35 deal, although the price was significantly reduced by the US compared to the initial export period.
“The technologies and capabilities of the 5th generation F-35 are nothing special, so Germany will not buy this line of fighters. The money Germany previously planned to spend on the F-35 will be reserved. for the purchase of more Typhoon fighters or to jointly invest in a new European-made aircraft program “, the German Defense announced.
According to the military expert Theils revealed, as early as 2018, German defense officials have sought to abandon plans to buy the F-35.
A year earlier, German Defense official Ralf Brauksiepe also confirmed that the Typhoon was the first choice to replace the domestic Tornado, American aircraft such as the F-15, F / A-18E / F and F. -35 is only the secondary solution.
In addition to the above reasons, the US Defense News also pointed out that the political factor related to Germany’s abandonment of buying the F-35. Currently, Merkel’s Government is a multi-party coalition consisting of the Social Democratic Party holding key positions in the State Department and the Finance Ministry.
Meanwhile, the Social Democrats tend to veto strong spending on Defense and advocate more moderate on matters with the Russian Federation.
In addition, Germany and France are now moving closer together on defense policies since the UK was about to leave the EU, and the US President is not feeling interested in NATO.
The recently signed Aachen Treaty pledged the two countries to take steps to cooperate in their foreign and defense policies. The highlight of the treaty is an agreement between France and Germany to jointly research and develop a fifth generation aircraft and upgrade the Typhoon.
Dassault and Airbus plan to rely on a fourth-generation Typhoon and Rafale base for the development of the next-generation aircraft.