During the 2011 First Libyan Civil War, RAF Typhoon FGR4s operated from Gioia del Colle for Operation Ellamy, enforcing the no-fly zone and later conducting reconnaissance and precision strikes on Gaddafi-aligned military targets.
Aircraft & UAVs
Eurofighter Typhoon
Also known as
- Typhoon FGR4
- Typhoon FGR Mk4
- Eurofighter EF-2000
- EF-2000 Typhoon
The Eurofighter Typhoon is a twin-engine, canard-delta multirole fighter developed by the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, and Spain and built through Airbus, BAE Systems, and Leonardo workshares. Cataloged conflict use spans RAF no-fly-zone, reconnaissance, and strike missions over Libya, coalition strike and ISR missions against the Islamic State, Red Sea strikes on Houthi military targets, and Royal Saudi Air Force combat missions in Yemen.
Role in Conflicts
During the 2014 War Against the Islamic State, coalition Typhoons were used for Daesh strike missions, close air support, armed reconnaissance, and ISR sorties in Iraq and Syria.
Role details
In the 2023 Red Sea Crisis, RAF Typhoon FGR4s were used by the coalition for strikes on Houthi military targets in Yemen linked to attacks on shipping.
Role details
In the 2014 Yemen Civil War, Royal Saudi Air Force Typhoons were used by the Saudi-led coalition for combat missions in Yemen.
Role detailsProfile / Specs
Profile
- Origin
- United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, and Spain
- Built by
- AirbusBAE SystemsLeonardo
- Type
- Twin-engine multirole combat aircraft
- Service note
- Entered RAF service in 2003; documented in combat from the 2011 Libya intervention onward
- Designer
- Eurofighter consortium
- Designed
- 1980s-1990s European fighter programme; first flight in 1994
- Produced
- 1990s-present
- Number built
- Airbus listed 769 total orders for the Eurofighter programme as of 2026
Specifications
- Crew
- 1 pilot in single-seat combat variants; 2 in twin-seat trainer variants
- Engines
- Two Eurojet EJ200 turbofan engines
- Maximum speed
- Mach 2.0 at altitude; about 2,495 km/h
- Sea-level speed
- Mach 1.25; about 1,530 km/h
- Hardpoints
- 13 wing and fuselage stations for air-to-air and air-to-surface stores
- Sensors
- CAPTOR radar, PIRATE infrared search-and-track, and Praetorian defensive-aids suite on current configurations
- Typical strike configuration
- Targeting pod, up to four ground-attack weapons, and retained air-to-air missiles for self-defence
Variants
Typhoon designations vary by national service and tranche; the RAF distinguishes early F Mk2 air-defence aircraft from the multirole FGR Mk4 standard.
| Variant | Configuration | Designation notes |
|---|---|---|
| Typhoon F Mk2 | RAF single-seat air-defence variant | The RAF describes the F Mk2 as the original air-to-air configuration before the multirole FGR Mk4 evolved from the fleet. Sources: RAF Typhoon FGR4 |
| Typhoon FGR Mk4 | RAF single-seat multirole strike and air-defence variant | The RAF identifies the FGR Mk4 as the current multirole combat standard carrying Meteor, AMRAAM, ASRAAM, Paveway IV, Brimstone 2, Storm Shadow, and the Mauser 27 mm gun. Sources: RAF Typhoon FGR4 |
| Typhoon T Mk3 | RAF twin-seat training variant | RAF Typhoon specifications distinguish the single-pilot combat aircraft from twin-seat trainer variants. Sources: RAF Typhoon FGR4 |
| Saudi Typhoon Tranche 2/3 aircraft | Royal Saudi Air Force export configuration | Airbus lists Saudi Arabia among Eurofighter customers, while Yemen sources document Royal Saudi Air Force Typhoon combat use. Sources: Eurofighter, Written Evidence from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (UKY 13) |
Carried Munitions
The RAF's Typhoon FGR4 page identifies the aircraft as a carrier for several current air-to-air and air-to-surface weapons.
| Carried item | Item type | Carriage evidence |
|---|---|---|
 | Beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile | The RAF lists Meteor among Typhoon's air-to-air weapons, and MBDA separately documents Meteor launches from Typhoon during QRA training. Sources: RAF Typhoon FGR4, Typhoons launch Meteor for the first time |
 | Air-to-air missile | The RAF lists AMRAAM as one of Typhoon's air-to-air weapons. Sources: RAF Typhoon FGR4 |
 | Short-range air-to-air missile | Diehl Defence identifies IRIS-T in its air-to-air role as standard armament of the Eurofighter/Typhoon. Sources: Diehl Defence enhances integration capabilities of IRIS-T missile into fighter aircraft platforms |
 | Guided bomb | The RAF lists Paveway IV as a Typhoon air-to-surface weapon for strike and armed reconnaissance missions. Sources: RAF Typhoon FGR4 |
 | Air-to-surface missile | The RAF lists Brimstone 2 as a Typhoon air-to-surface weapon. Sources: RAF Typhoon FGR4 |
 | Cruise missile | The RAF lists Storm Shadow as a Typhoon air-to-surface weapon. Sources: RAF Typhoon FGR4 |
 | Targeting pod | The RAF lists Litening V as Typhoon's air-to-ground targeting and reconnaissance sensor and includes a Litening pod in typical strike and armed-reconnaissance loadouts. Sources: RAF Typhoon FGR4 |
Missile Launches
Typhoon has been used in live-firing and operational launch reports for its air-to-surface missile integration.
| Launched item | Item type | Launch evidence |
|---|---|---|
| Air-to-surface missile | MBDA says the first live firing of Brimstone from a Eurofighter Typhoon was completed during integration work. |
Timeline
Eurofighter Typhoon Key Events
Programme origins
The RAF traces the programme's roots to the Cold War fighter studies that preceded Typhoon.
Sources: RAF Eurofighter Typhoon Part 1: Cold War Origins
First flight
Eurofighter marks 27 March 1994 as the first flight of the development aircraft DA1.
Sources: 30 Years Young
RAF entry into service
The RAF states that Typhoon first entered service in 2003.
Sources: RAF Eurofighter Typhoon Achieves One Million Flying Hours Globally
RAF Typhoons return from Libya
The UK Ministry of Defence said Typhoon missions over Libya had run around the clock from March 2011 and included reconnaissance and precision strikes.
Sources: RAF Typhoons return from Libya operations
Red Sea strikes
The UK government said RAF Typhoons were used in strikes on Houthi military targets in Yemen on 22 January 2024.
Sources: Statement on Air Strikes against Houthi military targets in Yemen: 22 January 2024
Media
Eurofighter Typhoon Videos
Related Weapon Systems
Sources
The AircraftPublisher: Eurofighter | Note: Supports manufacturer background, multirole fighter description, and air-to-air/air-to-ground role context. | Accessed: 2026-07-13RAF Eurofighter Typhoon Part 1: Cold War OriginsPublisher: Royal Air Force | Note: Supports the programme's 1980s Cold War origins. | Accessed: 2026-07-1330 Years YoungPublisher: Eurofighter | Note: Supports the first Typhoon development-aircraft flight on 27 March 1994. | Accessed: 2026-07-13RAF Eurofighter Typhoon Achieves One Million Flying Hours GloballyPublisher: Royal Air Force | Note: Supports Typhoon's 2003 entry into RAF service. | Accessed: 2026-07-13RAF Typhoon FGR4Publisher: Royal Air Force | Note: Supports current weapon carriage, sensor fit, and typical armed reconnaissance / close air support loadouts. | Accessed: 2026-07-13Typhoons launch Meteor for the first timePublisher: MBDA | Note: Supports Typhoon launching Meteor during QRA training. | Accessed: 2026-07-13Diehl Defence enhances integration capabilities of IRIS-T missile into fighter aircraft platformsPublisher: Diehl Defence | Note: Supports the relationship between IRIS-T and Eurofighter/Typhoon as an integrated air-to-air armament option. | Accessed: 2026-07-13Successful live firing of Brimstone missile from Eurofighter Typhoon completed as aircraft enhancements move onPublisher: MBDA | Note: Supports Typhoon live-firing Brimstone during integration work. | Accessed: 2026-07-13Leonardo TyphoonPublisher: Leonardo | Note: Supports PIRATE and Praetorian sensor-suite background. | Accessed: 2026-07-13PerformancePublisher: Eurofighter | Note: Supports engine thrust and maximum-speed specifications. | Accessed: 2026-07-13EurofighterPublisher: Airbus | Note: Supports Eurofighter programme background, customer context including Saudi Arabia, sensor and hardpoint specifications, and strike-role configuration. | Accessed: 2026-07-13ITAF Achieve Flight Endurance Record on Task ForcePublisher: Eurofighter | Note: Supports 2014 War Against the Islamic State direct conflict use under Operation Inherent Resolve: Supports 2014 Operation Inherent Resolve direct conflict use: Typhoons were used by coalition forces on 2014 Operation Inherent Resolve against Daesh in the Middle East. | Accessed: 2026-07-13RAF Typhoons use Brimstone capability for the first timePublisher: UK Ministry of Defence | Note: Supports 2014 War Against the Islamic State direct conflict use: RAF Typhoon FGR4s flew Operation Shader armed-reconnaissance support in Syria and struck Daesh targets with Paveway IV and Brimstone 2. | Accessed: 2026-07-13Statement on Air Strikes against Houthi military targets in Yemen: 22 January 2024Publisher: UK Ministry of Defence | Note: Supports 2023 Red Sea Crisis direct conflict use: RAF Typhoon FGR4s were used by the coalition for strikes on Houthi sites in Yemen tied to attacks on shipping in the Red Sea. | Accessed: 2026-07-13RAF Typhoons return from Libya operationsPublisher: UK Ministry of Defence | Note: Supports 2011 First Libyan Civil War direct conflict use: RAF Typhoon FGR4s operated over Libya from March 2011, flew more than 3,000 hours from Gioia del Colle, and were used for reconnaissance and precision strikes. | Accessed: 2026-07-13The UK's contribution to freeing LibyaPublisher: UK Ministry of Defence | Note: Supports 2011 First Libyan Civil War direct conflict use: RAF Typhoons helped enforce the no-fly zone and moved into ground-attack missions during Operation Ellamy. | Accessed: 2026-07-13UK Air Power in Operation Unified Protector: Libya, 2011Publisher: Royal Air Force | Note: Supports 2011 First Libyan Civil War direct conflict use and context: RAF GR4s and Typhoons deployed to Gioia del Colle, with Typhoons declared as multirole platforms during NATO's Libya air campaign. | Accessed: 2026-07-13Written Evidence from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (UKY 13)Publisher: UK Parliament | Note: Supports 2014 Yemen Civil War direct conflict use: Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft were used by the Royal Saudi Air Force and Saudi-led coalition on combat missions in Yemen. | Accessed: 2026-07-13Saudi Arabia's airstrike rules of engagement reviewedPublisher: Action on Armed Violence | Note: Supports 2014 Yemen Civil War direct conflict use: Typhoon aircraft were fielded by the Royal Saudi Air Force in the Yemen air campaign and linked to Saudi airstrike systems. | Accessed: 2026-07-13UK arms used in YemenPublisher: Campaign Against Arms Trade | Note: Supports 2014 Yemen Civil War direct conflict use: Typhoon aircraft were used by Saudi Arabia in Yemen according to UK-government-sourced campaign documentation. | Accessed: 2026-07-13Commons Royal Saudi Air Force Typhoon F2 ImagePublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports image provenance for the primary Royal Saudi Air Force Typhoon image; Commons lists Steve Lynes/Flickr and CC BY 2.0 licensing. | Accessed: 2026-07-13Commons Royal Saudi Air Force Typhoon at Airpower 11 ImagePublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports image provenance for a Royal Saudi Air Force Typhoon gallery image; Commons lists Niklas 555 and CC BY 3.0 licensing. | Accessed: 2026-07-13Commons Royal Saudi Air Force Typhoon Pair ImagePublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports image provenance for a Saudi Typhoon delivery-aircraft gallery image; Commons lists Laurent ERRERA/Flickr and CC BY-SA 2.0 licensing. | Accessed: 2026-07-13Commons RAF Typhoon Cockpit ImagePublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports image provenance for the Typhoon cockpit gallery image; Commons lists Peter Gronemann/Flickr and CC BY 2.0 licensing. | Accessed: 2026-07-13