Eurofighter Typhoon faces obsolescence amid rise of fifth-generation stealth fighters

In confrontations with modern surface-to-air missile systems like China’s HQ-9B or Russia’s S-400, traditional tactics based on speed and altitude are less effective. The improvement in missile accuracy and range means that stealth is now considered essential for survival against sophisticated air defenses.

The Typhoon was designed during the Cold War era for high-speed dogfighting within visual range rather than deep penetration into enemy territory or all-aspect stealth. This legacy has made retrofitting it with modern low-observable technologies prohibitively complex. "Engineers opted for a delta canard layout...Unfortunately, it makes stealth shaping nearly impossible without a complete redesign."

Modern integrated air defense systems use networked sensors to detect incoming aircraft from hundreds of kilometers away. Covering an existing Typhoon airframe with RAM paint would only provide minimal benefit without more significant changes such as reshaping intakes or shielding engine faces—modifications deemed unfeasible given current design constraints.

Upgrading the Typhoon’s onboard electronics also poses challenges due to size and weight limitations. Fifth-generation jets rely on extensive processing power for sensor fusion—a capability difficult to replicate in the smaller Typhoon platform without degrading performance.

Some maintain that superior kinematic performance could offset the lack of stealth; however, recent advances in long-range missile technology make evasion much harder. Missiles like the AIM-260 or PL-15 can outmaneuver crewed fighters by pulling higher G-forces than pilots can withstand.

From an electronic warfare perspective, the Typhoon’s large signature requires greater jamming power to mask itself compared to stealthier platforms. This increases vulnerability by emitting stronger signals detectable by passive sensors and anti-radiation weapons.

The Royal Air Force recently retired early Tranche 1 models instead of transferring them to Ukraine—a decision reflecting how performance alone is no longer sufficient in today’s combat environment.

Given these realities, European countries are investing in new fighter programs such as Tempest and Future Combat Air System (FCAS) rather than trying to retrofit existing Eurofighters with full-stealth capabilities.

Still, upgrades continue: newer Tranche 5 jets feature enhanced radars (ECRS), advanced countermeasures like DASS (Defensive Aids Sub-System), passive infrared sensors (PIRATE), modular hardware/software updates, improved electronic warfare features, conformal fuel tanks, SPEAR-3 standoff missiles, and more. These improvements aim to keep the Typhoon relevant through the 2040s as a “fourth-generation plus” fighter capable of supporting roles such as missile truck operations or defensive counter-air missions outside heavily defended zones.

"The Eurofighter Typhoon remains a highly capable fourth-generation jet...It can provide a high-value capability even on the fifth-gen battlefield," notes one summary assessment. While not able to compete directly with true stealth fighters in contested environments dominated by networked sensors and advanced SAMs, it will remain operational as part of a broader mix of European airpower until next-generation solutions become fully available.