After Spain, which confirmed the purchase of twenty-five additional examples, upgraded to the “Tranche 4+” standard as part of the Halcón II program, it is Italy's turn to strengthen its aircraft fleet fighter Eurofighter EF-2000 / Typhoon.
Indeed, on December 23, a few days after obtaining the green light from the defense and foreign affairs committees of the Italian Chamber and Senate, and acting on behalf of the transalpine government, the NATO Eurofighter Management Agency and Tornadoes [NETMA – Nato Eurofighter and Tornado Management Agency] notified the Eurofighter consortium of a contract for the purchase of twenty-four new EF-2000 / Typhoon [ou F-2000A selon la nomenclature de l’Aeronautica Militare] to the “Tranche 4” standard.
The amount of this contract has not been specified. But the specialist site Ares Osservatorio Difesa suggests that the “total cost of the program, which involves Leonardo, BAE Systems and Airbus, amounts to 7.47 billion euros, with initial funding of 690 million already approved”.
These twenty-four F-2000As will replace those of the “Tranche 1” standard, the latter to be withdrawn from service in 2028.
Currently, the Aeronautica Militare fields ninety-four F-2000As, out of ninety-six delivered. Of these, twenty-six are at the “Tranche 1” standard, forty-seven at the “Tranche 2” standard and twenty-one at the “Tranche 3” standard.
“This order, which follows the contract for twenty-five additional aircraft for the Spanish Air Force […]demonstrates that the Eurofighter Typhoon continues to be the backbone of European air defense,” commented Simon Ellard, Director General of NETMA.
“The technological level achieved by the Eurofighter program over the years is indisputable. Its success also demonstrates the exceptional synergies between industry and institutions. We are proud of what we have built together and we are committed to making our contribution to ensure that Italy and all other partner countries continue to receive the level of capability they deserve,” said Stefano Pontecorvo, the CEO of Leonardo.
In recent months, in addition to Spain, Germany has ordered thirty-eight EF-2000 / Typhoons under the Quadriga program. Fifteen of them will be upgraded to the EK standard in order to replace the Luftwaffe's Panavia Tornado ECRs dedicated to electronic warfare. In addition, last June, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz announced the purchase of twenty more copies. But it still needs to be confirmed.
Among the countries represented within the Eurofighter consortium, only the United Kingdom has not placed a new order, while it is preparing to withdraw thirty Typhoon “Tranche 1” from service without replacing them. On the other hand, he was involved in convincing Qatar to acquire twelve copies at most.
Note that Italy also intends to procure twenty-five F-35 fighter-bombers [quinze F-35A et cinq F-35B] for an amount estimated at 7 billion euros.
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