RAF Typhoon aircraft may be armed with Meteor missiles from later this decade after an agreement was signed today by industry and the four Eurofighter nations.

During a brief ceremony on the Paris Air Show, Defence Ministers from the united kingdom, Germany, Italy and Spain witnessed a freelance being signed between Eurofighter and NATO Eurofighter and Tornado Management Agency (NETMA) so they can see the missile system integrated onto the aircraft.

The Meteor Beyond Visual Range Air to Air missile, manufactured by MBDA, is a state-of-the-art long range weapon that may be used against quite a number targets. The missile will complement the missile systems already in use at the aircraft, giving pilots a better selection of weapons reckoning on their mission objectives.

Minister for Defence Equipment, Support and Technology, Philip Dunne, who attended the signing ceremony on behalf of the united kingdom said:

“This is another exciting step within the planned upgrade programme for this impressive aircraft. The whole programme is a resounding example of European Government and industry collaboration in both missile technology and Combat Air Weapon System development.

“Meteor will provide the RAF with a global-leading air-to-air weapons capability and improve prospects for export of the Meteor missile and the Typhoon Weapon System.”

Typhoon is already delivering air defence for the united kingdom and the Falkland Islands, and its ground attack capabilities were instrumental to allied operations over Libya. The RAF took delivery of its 100th Typhoon aircraft earlier this year.

Over a better ten years, the MoD is to spend £18 billion on Typhoon and the Lightning II F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, two of the world’s newest and capable multi-role aircraft with the intention to deliver the UK’s combat air capability.

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