Spanish Eurofighter Typhoon (Airbus)
WASHINGTON — Italian defense firm Leonardo today announced the Italian government will buy up to an additional 24 Eurofighter Typhoons, meant to replace the air force’s Tranche 1 Eurofighters.
French aerospace giant Airbus, the UK’s BAE Systems, and Leonardo are partners in building the aircraft, under the auspices of the four-nation Eurofighter Typhoon consortium. Consortium members are Germany, Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom. Leonardo said the consortium, along with the NATO Eurofighter and Tornado Management Agency had struck the deal with Rome.
The new jets will be equipped with “advanced avionics, enhanced weapon systems capable of operating Brimstone III and Meteor, new sensors and improved connectivity,” Leonardo’s announcement said. Brimstone III is air-launched ground attack missile; Meteor is an active radar guided beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile.
“The order will enhance the Italian Air Force’s combat air capabilities and provide security for Italy, Europe and the NATO Alliance,” Simon Ellard, general manager of the NATO Eurofighter and Tornado Management Agency, said in the Leonardo announcement.
The contract with Rome follows hard on the heels of a deal with Spain for 25 Eurofighter Typhoon fourth-generation fighter jets under the country’s Halcon II program.
“During this past seven days we have seen two of the four Eurofighter Core Nations sign new contract orders, with a clear desire to modernise their Air Forces and confirming the crucial role they attribute to our aircraft,” Giancarlo Mezzanatto, Eurofighter chief executive, said.
Turkey also is hoping to get an approval to buy some 40 Typhoons, if Berlin can be persuaded by its partners to go along with the deal.
