The RAF needs more fighter jets, Rishi Sunak is warned

Only days after starting sorties over the Black Sea, a quartet of RAF Typhoons were rushed to defend Israel against attack by Iran

Rishi Sunak has been told Britain needs more fighter jets after aircraft meant to protect NATO airspace were moved to the Middle East.

Only days after starting sorties over the Black Sea, a quartet of RAF Typhoons were rushed to defend Israel against attack by Iran.

Last night, the move triggered claims the Royal Air Force’s fast jet fleet is too thinly spread, a vulnerability the UK’s enemies could exploit.

While in Westminster, the Prime Minister came under fire over a ‘ridiculous decision’ to further reduce this country’s aerial combat capability.

Remarkably, in 2025, 30 of Britain’s 137 Typhoons will be withdrawn from operations, years ahead of when they were supposed to retire.

In a desperate bid to save money the jets will either be cannibalised for spare parts, so the remainder of the fleet can continue flying, or sold.

An immediate increase in military spending – as called for by the Mail’s ‘Don’t Leave Britain Defenceless’ campaign – would pay for a full complement of Typhoons to remain in service.

The four Typhoons had deployed to Romania earlier this month on Op Biloxi – a longstanding mission to deter Russian jets from attacking Eastern Europe.

But on Friday UK defence chiefs were warned of Iran’s bid to bombard Israel with ‘kamikaze’ drones and cruise missiles.

The four Typhoons were ordered to withdraw from NATO duties, relocated to the Middle East, and joined the US-led international coalition against Iran.

The Mail has learned the aircraft and their crews will remain on the tarmac at RAF Akrotiri, Cyprus, pending further developments in the conflict.

In their absence, the Op Biloxi sorties have been conducted by Spanish fighter jets – accompanied by a single RAF Typhoon which had remained behind.

Last night, former UK military intelligence officer Philip Ingram said: ‘Using the Typhoons which were on NATO duties is an indicator of much wider issues that should concern us all in a ‘pre-war’ era.

‘That is borrowing from one mission for another. It suggests there aren’t enough aircraft to go around. The RAF needs more frontline jets, pilots and weapons. Waiting for the conflict to start is too late.’

Rishi Sunak has committed to increasing defence spending to 2.5 per cent of GDP – from the estimated current level of 2.3 per cent – but only when the UK economy improves.

This caveat was described as ‘absurd’ yesterday by former Defence Secretary Ben Wallace.

He said: ‘The line deployed by both political parties that we shall only invest in defence ‘when economic conditions allow’ has been exposed as a political excuse.

‘We need to invest as the threat determines. Without such investment our security will be at risk and our forces will be stretched.’

The stretching of UK military assets could get worse when the Typhoon fleet is slashed, according to MPs – and at a time when Britain faces threats from Russia, Iran and China.

Conservative former Defence Minister Mark Francois opened fire on the Prime Minister over the controversial decision – which has been widely criticised and challenged.

He said: ‘I wholly commend our RAF pilots and their superb Typhoon aircraft.

‘But we only have 137 Typhoons and because of budget pressures the MOD plans to retire 30 of them.

‘The move would be akin to selling of Spitfires before the Battle of Britain.

‘Will the Prime Minister, when he has a moment, go back to his office and place that ridiculous decision under immediate review and, at the very least, put those Typhoons in a war reserve in case we need them for ourselves.’

Mr Sunak replied: ‘My honourable friend will know individual equipment decisions are taken by service chiefs in conjunction with ministers. I am happy to look at the point he has raised.’

Last night Ministry of Defence officials said it had been a ‘prudent measure’ to temporarily move a number of aircraft from Romania to bolster its presence in the Middle East.

A spokesperson said: ‘Allied air forces continue to patrol NATO airspace to ensure it is protected from all threats. We have coordinated with NATO and our allies to ensure there is no gap in Romania.’

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