The Telegraph: Britain Is Building A Cutting-edge Fighter Jet To Attack Russia
- 19.07.2025, 10:09
Tempest is being designed to fly deep into enemy territory.
Britain is working with Italy and Japan to develop a supersonic low-observable aircraft, which is planned to be operational by 2035.
As The Telegraph, the plane, dubbed Tempest in Britain, is being developed for long-range flights, carrying large payloads and equipment, and judging by its size, is intended for long-range missions deep into enemy territory.
"A bigger plane means bigger fuel tanks. That means longer range and larger payloads of explosive warheads. Size also allows weapons to be housed inside, providing a smooth exterior, making the aircraft harder for radar to detect," The Telegraph notes.
The Tempest will be equipped with technologies that allow it to communicate with other aircraft, drones, ground troops and satellites. All this suggests that the Tempest is being developed for long-range missions deep into enemy territory, where communication with the base may not be possible.
Preparing for future warfare
According to experts, if NATO ever goes to war against Russia, this means that the aircraft will take off from a British airfield, fly stealthily to Russia, destroy enemy air defenses, and then return.
What's more, such a long range would allow Japanese pilots to strike deep into mainland China in any future conflict in the Pacific.
The Telegraph says the project means the plane would be able to cross the Atlantic without refueling in the air - something no Royal Air Force fighter has ever been able to do.
"You can make your aircraft as stealthy as you want, but if it has to be refueled using a tanker, ultimately the enemy will just have to track down and destroy that tanker," notes military analyst Francis Tusa.
Tempest in combat
Tusa says that in the event of a war with Russian Federation in the first week of the conflict, the Tempest would probably have to head into Russia and attack air defense systems and airbases.
Then, in the second week, when air defenses are not a threat, the aircraft could either destroy enemy fighters or continue in ground support roles.
To fulfill this role, it is expected to be able to rain down huge arsenals of explosive weapons on its targets - potentially twice as many as the F-35 can deploy.
The technology built into the Tempest will also ensure that the aircraft can act as an on-board communications hub, even if communications with bases in the UK are disrupted. This means it could serve as a central communications point for nearby friendly drones and missiles, as well as for ground forces and satellites in space.
European arms production
Media earlier reported that British production of Eurofighter Typhoon combat aircraft has been suspended due to a shortage of new orders. The UK government has not placed orders for new aircraft since 2009, and further export orders from Saudi Arabia and Qatar have yet to be agreed.
It has also been reported that Britain plans to get rid of its critical weapons dependence on the US. Containers are expected to be built on British territory to produce RDX explosives used in 155-millimeter artillery shells.