Italy has officially placed an order today in Rome for up to 24 new Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jets, a contract that adds to Spain’s recent request for 25 units last week. These new Typhoons will replace the Aeronautica Militare’s first-generation Tranche 1 aircrafts, which are now technologically outdated compared to the current needs of European defense.
🔴#LDO_CS #Eurofighter e #NETMA (#NATO Eurofighter and Tornado Management Agency) hanno firmato oggi a #Roma un contratto per acquisire fino a 24 velivoli Eurofighter destinati all’@ItalianAirForce. L’annuncio giunge durante un periodo particolarmente importante sotto il profilo… pic.twitter.com/5kzmbFDy88
— Leonardo (@Leonardo_IT) December 23, 2024
Giancarlo Mezzanatto, Eurofighter CEO, stressed that this decision reaffirms the crucial role played by the Eurofighter Typhoon in the European defense strategy:
“During the 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 confirm the crucial role they attribute to our aircraft.”
Meanwhile, Stefano Pontecorvo, President of Leonardo, welcomed the news. He stated that:
“The Eurofighter program has undoubtedly ensured a high level of technology over the years. Its success is also proof of the extraordinary synergies between industry and institutions.”
Similar to the recent Spanish order under the Halcon II program, the new Italian Eurofighters will be equipped with state-of-the-art avionics, as well as advanced weaponry, including Brimstone III and Meteor missiles. They will also feature new sensors and enhanced connectivity, significantly boosting their combat capabilities. With an estimated operational life extending beyond 2060, the new Typhoons will be fully prepared to integrate into future European defense operational scenarios.
According to renowned journalist Gareth Jennings, due to the urgent need of the Aeronautica Militare to incorporate the new fighter jets, the Italian Eurofighters are expected to be a hybrid version, combining features of the Tranche 4+ with the E-Scan ECRS Mk 0 radar, which is already used by the Kuwaiti Typhoons. This radar is inferior to the Mk 1 that will equip the German and Spanish jets, and to the even more advanced ECRS Mk 2 (co-developed by BAE Systems and Leonardo) that will be introduced in the British Typhoons.
Based on previous statement from Eurofighter CEO, Giancarlo Mezzanatto, these additional Italian jets will on delivery be a unique hybrid of Tranche 4+ and the ECRS Mk 0 E-Scan radar, based on Italy’s urgent requirement. https://t.co/nnvJVahw90
— Gareth Jennings (@GarethJennings3) December 23, 2024
Although the official statement does not mention a specific delivery date, it is anticipated that Italy’s urgency to receive the new fighters will place its order ahead of that of Spain, which will begin taking delivery of its Halcon II aircraft from 2030.
