Russia Will Freak: Eurofighter Typhoon Is Getting a Big Upgrade
Summary and Key Points: The Aeronautica Militare Italiana (AMI) is poised to acquire 24 new Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft, enhancing its capabilities with advanced features such as improved avionics and a new radar system.
-This purchase aims to replace older Tranche 1 Eurofighter models and retire the Panavia Tornado fleet. Manufactured domestically by Leonardo, the new fighters will support Italy's air force until the introduction of a sixth-generation fighter from the Global Combat Air Program.
-This potential deal follows Italy’s recent suspension of a 1.2 billion euro contract for Boeing’s KC-46 Pegasus tankers, possibly redirecting funds towards the Eurofighter upgrade.
New Eurofighter Typhoons to Replace Italy’s Aging Combat Aircraft
The Aeronautica Militare Italiana (AMI) could soon operate at least two dozen more Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft. Last Thursday, the Italian Ministry of Defense announced it would likely move forward with a deal to purchase 24 of the EF-2000 all-weather multirole combat aircraft for Italy’s air force. A final decision will be made by August 13.
The new EF-2000s would replace at least some of the older Tranche 1 Eurofighter models currently in service with the AMI. The Italian air service is also looking to retire three dozen of its Panavia Tornado Interdiction Strike aircraft, as well as 16 Tornado Electronic Combat Reconnaissance aircraft.
According to Janes, Rome has already received 96 Eurofighter Typhoons. Twenty-six are the original Tranche 1 aircraft, including 10 twin-seat models. Reports that the AMI was considering expanding its Typhoon fleet first surfaced at last year's IQPC International Fighter Conference in Madrid, Spain.
"Italy is now looking at more core aircraft. There will be a parliamentary process over the summer [third quarter] to look at a further buy," David Hulme, Typhoon product strategy director and Eurofighter project director at BAE Systems, told Janes in May.
An Advanced Eurofighter
Among the advanced features of Phase 4 Typhoons are improved avionics, a new radar system, and network capabilities that could allow the aircraft to operate with loyal wingman drones.
If the deal goes through, the two dozen fighters are expected to remain in service until the introduction of a sixth-generation fighter being developed by the Global Combat Air Program – an international coalition led by the UK with Japan’s support.
The new Eurofighters would be manufactured domestically at the Leonardo facility in Caselle Torinese, outside Turin in Northern Italy. The total value of the contract has not been disclosed.
One Deal Dead, Another Takes Off
There has been speculation that Rome’s suspension of a 1.2 billion euro ($1.3 billion) contract to upgrade its aerial tanker fleet with the KC-46 Pegasus might have been meant to direct funds toward the Eurofighter. The AMI had previously sought to purchase six of the Boeing-made aerial refuelers but announced on June 24 that the program would be suspended.
It is unclear if any of Boeing's recent troubles played into that decision, but according to other reports, Italy would have been the only European operator of the American-made tankers. As noted by The Aviationist, France, Spain, and the UK operate a refueling variant of the Airbus A330 Multi-Role Tanker Transport. Belgium, the Czech Republic, Germany, Luxembourg, Norway, and the Netherlands share a fleet of A330 MRTT tankers that are part of the NATO Multinational MRTT Fleet.
Author Experience and Expertise: Peter Suciu
Peter Suciu is a Michigan-based writer. He has contributed to more than four dozen magazines, newspapers, and websites with over 3,200 published pieces over a twenty-year career in journalism. He regularly writes about military hardware, firearms history, cybersecurity, politics, and international affairs. Peter is also a Contributing Writer for Forbes and Clearance Jobs. You can follow him on Twitter: @PeterSuciu. You can email the author: Editor@nationalinterest.org.