Could Decommission RAF Typhoon Tranche 1 Fighters Find Their Way to Ukraine?

The U.K. Royal Air Force which is said to be on track to order some 100 F-35A fighters could decommission around 53 Eurofighter Typhoon Tranche 1 aircraft and send them to Ukraine.

While France, Denmark, and the Netherlands have already committed fighter aircraft to Kyiv, the U.K.—one of Ukraine’s strongest allies—has yet to provide combat jets. That may now change, with older Typhoons being considered for donation following their retirement from RAF service.

These Tranche 1 jets, though based on older radar technology such as the mechanically scanned ECR-90 Captor-M, remain capable multirole platforms. They can detect and track targets in challenging jamming environments and deploy AIM-120C-5 missiles with engagement ranges of up to 105 kilometers.

Each aircraft also features PIRATE infrared search and track systems, allowing for passive target tracking—reportedly able to detect afterburning aircraft at 85 kilometers head-on and up to 150 kilometers from the rear. With appropriate software upgrades, these platforms could launch newer AIM-120D or MBDA Meteor missiles.

Social media chatter in Russia has highlighted concerns that these jets, if delivered to Ukraine, could threaten frontline assets such as Su-34 bombers, which are used by Russian forces to conduct airstrikes.

The Typhoons’ transfer comes in the context of a broader shift in U.K. defense planning. London is preparing a major order for F-35A fighters to modernize its air fleet, as per The Times. The country has already received 37 of the 48 F-35Bs ordered for its aircraft carriers, but this new batch will focus on land-based F-35As.

BAE Systems, the U.K.’s lead defense contractor, contributes up to 15% of each F-35’s components, securing the country favorable pricing and long-term supply guarantees. British officials say this first-tier partner status sets the U.K. apart from other European buyers reliant on U.S. approval for operational access—unlike Denmark, where concerns persist over possible interference under a future Trump administration. However, the U.K.'s reliance on U.S.-made fighters has raised concerns about its defense-industrial base, with critics warning of expertise loss at BAE’s Warton plant if Eurofighter production halts. The Unite labor union has flagged potential job losses, though officials believe pending Saudi and Turkish orders could keep the line active.

Price comparisons further complicate the picture. While The Times lists the unit cost of the F-35A at £64 million and the Eurofighter at £73 million, real-world contracts paint a different story. Spain’s recent Eurofighter order came to roughly €160 million per jet (with add-ons), while the Czech Republic's F-35 deal suggests an average price near €195 million.

Ukrainian pilots would need significant training before operating Typhoons, but Western defense analysts believe even the retired Tranche 1s could bolster Ukraine’s ability to counter Russian airpower.

The U.K. Ministry of Defence has yet to confirm the transfer or F-35 order, but announcements are expected later this year.