Italy Signs Contract For Up To 24 More New Eurofighters
Italy’s government signed a contract for the purchase of up to 24 Eurofighters for the Italian Air Force on December 23.
According to Italian defense contractor Leonardo, part of the Eurofighter consortium that builds the multirole aircraft, leaders of Eurofighter and NETMA (the NATO Eurofighter and Tornado Management Agency) signed the deal in Rome.
NETMA General Manager AVM Simon Ellard (ret.) said the deal was a “proud moment” for the Eurofighter program, demonstrating that “the Eurofighter Typhoon continues to be the backbone of European air defence”.
The deal comes days after Spain signed a separate contract for 25 Eurofighters under its Halcon II program to replace its F/A-18 Hornets. According to the Eurofighter consortium, the aircraft to be delivered to both Italy and Spain will be equipped with advanced avionics, enhanced weapon systems capable of operating the Brimstone III air-to-ground missile and the Meteor beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile, new sensors and improved connectivity.
Giancarlo Mezzanatto, Chief Executive of Eurofighter, said:
“Italy’s decision to purchase an additional 24 jets is, of course, fantastic news for our programme, further demonstrating the strength and importance that Eurofighter Typhoon brings to Europe.
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.”
Once delivered, the new Eurofighters will replace the earliest Tranche 1 Eurofighters still in service with the Italian Air Force, with Leonardo claiming that they will have service lives extending “well beyond 2060” and technical capabilities that “will allow full integration into the Europe’s future air combat environment”.
Stefano Pontecorvo, Chairman of Leonardo, said:
“The level of technology delivered by the Eurofighter programme over years is unquestionable. Its success provides also evidence of the outstanding synergies between the industry and institutions.
We’re proud of what we’ve built together and we’re committed to providing our contribution to make sure Italy and all other partner nations continue to receive the level of capability they deserve.”