On Monday, December 23, 2024, the Italian Ministry of Defense, through the NETMA (NATO Eurofighter and Tornado Management Agency), ordered twenty-four multi-role Eurofighter F-2000A Typhoon aircraft.
Photos: Eurofighter
Stefano Pontecorvo, Chairman of Leonardo, said:
“The level of technology delivered by the Eurofighter programme over years is unquestionable. Its success provides evidence of the outstanding synergies between 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.”
Lorenzo Mariani, Co-General Manager of Leonardo, commented:
“This contract is a major milestone for the Eurofighter programme in Italy. Since its inception, it has played a crucial role for national defence and security as well as in the development of advanced technologies and employment of thousands of skilled professionals. With this latest order the programme will deliver even greater capabilities and economic returns for many years.”
The Eurofighter consortium has previously received orders from other program partners in addition to Italy, including Germany (38 units in the Quadriga program and 20 more planned) and Spain (20 units in the Halcón program and 25 units in the Halcón 2 program). The fourth partner in the program is the United Kingdom, which, it is worth noting, has invested significant funds in the development of the next-generation ECRS Mk2 radar, which is expected to provide the British Typhoons with world-leading electronic warfare capabilities.
The development of the ECRS Mk2 was funded by the United Kingdom and is supported by Italy through the Joint Industrial Team for ECRS Mk2. In July 2023, a 5-year contract worth £870 million was announced, awarded to BAE Systems and Leonardo UK, with the goal of enhancing the radar capabilities on the UK’s Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft. A total of 2.35 billion GBP will be allocated for investments in the modernization of the RAF’s Typhoon fleet.
It is worth reminding that on May 14th of this year, journalist Gareth Jennings from the Janes industry portal informed on social media that BAE Systems confirmed the ongoing process regarding Italy’s purchase of an additional 24 Eurofighter Typhoon multi-role aircraft. On July 4th of this year, the Italian Ministry of Defense approved the purchase of the Typhoons, awaiting the allocation of the necessary financial resources.
On September 17th of this year, the Ministry of Defense presented to the Senate the multi-year defense planning document for the years 2024-2026 (Documento Programmatico Pluriennale, DPP). The document was approved by the ministry on September 12th. Among the approved orders were the discussed Typhoons.
Photo: Cpl. Joanna Wlazło, 22nd Air Base
It is worth recalling that on October 23, 2020, Leonardo delivered the last of the previously ordered Eurofighter F-2000A Typhoon aircraft in the Tranche 3A version to the Italian Ministry of Defense. A total of 96 units were contracted, but two were involved in accidents (on July 24, 2024, and September 24, 2017). Before the July accident, the Aeronautica Militare Italiana had 21 aircraft in the Tranche 3A version, 47 in the Tranche 2 version, and 27 older units in the Tranche 1 version.
The introduction of new Typhoons will allow for the retirement of 26 of the oldest Tranche 1 aircraft by 2029, meaning the total number of Italian Typhoons will drop to 92.
However, it is also worth adding that the purchase of 25 multi-role Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning aircraft has been approved, including 15 F-35A conventional takeoff aircraft for the air force and 10 F-35B short takeoff and vertical landing aircraft for the navy and also the air force, as well as additional armament for them (earlier, in two batches, 90 aircraft of both versions were ordered from the originally planned 131 units in 2009; according to current plans, the number will increase to 115, with 23 delivered so far).
In the future, the successor to the Typhoon will be a 6th-generation aircraft developed under the GCAP (Global Combat Air Programme) in cooperation with the United Kingdom and Japan.
🔴#LDO_PR The leaders of @eurofighter and #NETMA (the @NATO Eurofighter and Tornado Management Agency) today signed the contract for up to 24 @ItalianAirForce Eurofighters in #Rome. The announcement comes at a strategically important time for the Eurofighter programme and follows… pic.twitter.com/gkh1U5mM3J
— Leonardo (@Leonardo_live) December 23, 2024
BREAKING: Italy orders up to 24 Eurofighter Typhoon jets 🇮🇹m
This major milestone follows last week’s Spanish order for 25 aircraft, reinforcing Eurofighter’s role in modernising European air defence. ✈️CEO Giancarlo Mezzanatto said two Core Nations placing new orders in one… pic.twitter.com/MfFrEeHYgL
— Eurofighter Typhoon (@eurofighter) December 23, 2024