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The purchase of 24 Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft from Italy has become a reality

Posted on by darion

Aviation journalist Gareth Jennings posted today in X: “It’s been named! #Italy gives green light to purchase 24 new Eurofighter Typhoons…” He quotes a tweet from aviation expert Giovanni Martinelli, who says: “Expected several times by Gareth Jennings, now comes the official confirmation… Italy will buy 24 more EF-2000s.” Martinelli quotes “Law N176” in which the acquisition was mentioned “F-2000” (Italian version of the Eurofighter Typhoon).

In May of this year, it was revealed that the Italian government would seek approval to buy 24 additional fighters in the third quarter of the year. BAE Systems, a partner in the consortium, confirmed the potential sale on May 14. A senior company official said Italy was looking to increase its fleet, which currently includes 96 Eurofighters, 94 of which are still in active service.

“Italy is now looking for more base aircraft” said David Hulme, Director of Typhoon Product Strategy and Eurofighter Project Director at BAE Systems. He added, “There will be a parliamentary process in the summer to consider a further purchase.” It appears that the discussions in the Italian Parliament were successful for the Italian Air Force and approval was obtained.

Photo source: BAE Systems

Tranche 4+

Italy is preparing to modernise its fleet, aiming to replace 28 Tranche 1 aircraft that lag behind the capabilities of their Tranche 2 and Tranche 3A counterparts. The new Eurofighters are expected to be similar to those of the Tranche 4+ or even the future Tranche 5, as envisaged by Spain’s Halcon II programme.

Tranche 4+ primarily introduces the European Common Radar System Mark 1 (ECRS Mk1/Radar 1), i.e. an active electronically scanning array (AESA) radar, while Tranche 5 uses even more advanced solutions, including elements of the Long-Term Evolution (LTE) package.

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Photo source: Wikipedia

The LTE initiative includes several improvements: Eurojet EJ200 engine upgrades, a modernized mission system architecture, advanced defensive aids, a modernized cockpit with a large touch screen, and new adaptive power and cooling technologies. These improvements will support the integration of state-of-the-art weapons, improve connectivity, and introduce structural changes that will increase the aircraft’s aerodynamics and maneuverability.

Eurofighter 2000

The Eurofighter 2000 prototype took to the skies more than two decades ago. This versatile multi-role combat aircraft, now known as the Typhoon, has become a staple of many air forces. It is actively used by Germany, Spain, Italy, the UK, Austria and Saudi Arabia. The Italian Air Force, calling it the F-2000A (or TF-2000A for the two-seater), first showed off the Typhoon at RIAT in 2013 and will grace the event again in 2019.

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Photo: Eurofighter Typhoon

In terms of dimensions, the Eurofighter Typhoon has a length of about 15.96 meters (52.4 ft), a wingspan of 10.95 meters (35.9 ft) and a height of 5.28 meters (17.3 ft). Its wing area is about 51.2 square meters (551 sq ft), which contributes to its agility and performance in various combat scenarios.

The Eurofighter Typhoon’s propulsion system consists of two Eurojet EJ200 turbofan engines. Each engine can produce up to 20,000 lbf (90 kN) of thrust with afterburners. This powerful propulsion system allows the aircraft to reach a maximum speed of Mach 2 (approximately 1,550 mph or 2,495 km/h) and provides an excellent thrust-to-weight ratio, which provides excellent maneuverability.

Avionics and Systems

Spain lands F-18s, strains its Eurofighter Getafe factory
Photo Source: UK MoD Crown

The Eurofighter Typhoon’s technical characteristics include advanced avionics, a highly aerodynamic airframe and a sophisticated flight control system. The aircraft is constructed from a combination of composite materials and lightweight alloys, which increases its durability and reduces its radar cross-section.

The Eurofighter Typhoon’s avionics suite is state-of-the-art, featuring the Captor-E active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar, which provides excellent tracking and targeting capabilities, an advanced electronic warfare system, a helmet-mounted display and a comprehensive suite of sensors and communications systems.

The Eurofighter Typhoon is equipped with a range of systems that enhance its combat effectiveness. These include an advanced defensive aids subsystem (DASS) to detect and counter threats, an integrated navigation system and a mission planning system. The aircraft is also equipped with a digital fly-by-wire flight control system for precision control.

Russia could attack British base in Cyprus from Syria - Klintsevich - Eurofighter Typhoon
Photo source: British MoD

Armament

In terms of armament, the Eurofighter Typhoon can carry a wide range of air-to-air and air-to-ground munitions. Its armament includes AIM-120 AMRAAM and AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles for air combat, as well as Paveway laser-guided bombs and Brimstone missiles for ground attack missions. The aircraft is also equipped with a Mauser BK-27 mm cannon for close-range combat.

The operational range of the Eurofighter Typhoon varies depending on the mission profile and payload. With internal fuel, the aircraft has a combat radius of around 1,389 kilometres (863 miles) for air superiority missions. This range can be extended with external fuel tanks, allowing the Typhoon to perform long-range strike missions and extended patrols.

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