Fylde MP Andrew Snowden has today criticised the Government for once again failing to commit to a new RAF order of Typhoon fighter jets, after leading a Westminster Hall debate on Typhoon Fighter Sovereign Capability earlier today.
The debate, secured and opened by the Fylde MP, focused on the future of Britain’s combat air industry and the importance of maintaining the UK’s sovereign capability to design and build fighter aircraft, an area led by BAE Systems in Warton and Samlesbury, supporting thousands of skilled jobs across Fylde, Lancashire, and the wider North West.
While welcoming the recent export order from Turkey for 20 Typhoons worth up to £8 billion, Andrew warned that the UK cannot rely on overseas orders alone, and must lead by example by buying British jets for the RAF.
Andrew Snowden MP said:
“I’ve been pushing for this new RAF order for a long time because it’s simple, if we don’t buy our own aircraft, how can we expect other countries to?
The Typhoon programme is the backbone of our defence manufacturing here in Lancashire, supporting thousands of good jobs and preserving sovereign skills that underpin our national security. The Turkish order is a great boost, but we can’t export confidence if we don’t have it at home.
It was disappointing that the Minister once again failed to give clear answers to the questions I asked, including why the Government has chosen to buy more American jets instead of backing British-built Typhoons. That decision looks increasingly like one driven by the politics of trade, not the priorities of national defence.”
Earlier this year, the Government had hinted strongly that a new RAF Typhoon order was imminent, giving hope to the workforce at Warton and across the supply chain. But that expectation was dashed when Ministers changed course and chose to buy additional US-built F-35s instead.
Mr Snowden pressed the Defence Minister to explain what happened to change the Government’s mind, and why that decision was taken when the UK has the capability, workforce and industrial base to build world-class fighter aircraft here at home.
During the debate, the MP for Fylde pressed the Armed Forces Minister on:
- Why the Government had backed away from previously suggested RAF Typhoon orders.
- Whether any further Typhoon orders would be made in this Parliament.
- What measures were being taken to protect the Warton production line and the thousands of jobs it supports.
- Whether future fighter aircraft to complement the Tempest programme will be UK-built to maintain sovereign capability.
Despite strong cross-party contributions from MPs, Mr Snowden said the Government’s response “dodged the key questions that matter to the people and communities who depend on these industries.”
The Typhoon programme currently supports over 20,000 jobs across the UK, including more than 9,000 in the North West, and contributes £1.6 billion to the UK economy every year.
Notes to Editors:
- The full transcript of the debate can be read here: Hansard link.
- Link to video recording of the full debate can be viewed here: Parliament TV link
- BAE Systems’ sites in Warton and Samlesbury lead final assembly and airframe production for the Typhoon fighter.
- The Typhoon has been in RAF service since 2003 and forms the backbone of the UK’s combat air capability.
- In October 2025, Turkey confirmed an order for 20 Typhoons, worth up to £8 billion, the first export deal for the aircraft since 2017.
