Eurofighter Typhoon: production secured until 2017

Source: Alenia Aeronautica Magazine 5.3/4

After months of speculation and negotiation between the four partner nations, the third Tranche of Eurofighter Typhoons was agreed and the contract signed.

 Present at the ceremony were Eurofighter CEO Enzo Casolini, EUROJET Managing Director Hartmut J. Tenter and NETMA’s General Manager Lt. Gen. Antonino Altorio along with key members of the four nation governments. Speaking at the event Casolini commented: ”This is a major achievement in the Eurofighter program and serves to reaffirm the importance and the independence of the defence sector of the European industry. The agreement, achieved in conjunction with NETMA and the four Nations involved in the program, will provide the Air Forces with the best asset available to address their requirements for both air-to-air and air-to-ground roles”. 

The signing of the first batch of Tranche 3, known as T3a signals a significant investment in the future of European aerospace industry and will reinforce the successful collaboration of the consortium with its customer NETMA and sister company Eurojet. The final Tranche of the Umbrella contract signed in 1994 for 620 aircraft means further development of the highly skilled aerospace industry in which Eurofighter Typhoon has proven itself a leader. 

It was decided following significant negotiations, that the third Tranche would be split in order to increase cost reductions requested by the customer. Eurojet Turbo GmbH will supply 241 EJ200 engines for the 112 aircraft included in the T3a deal. The Royal Air Force will gain 40 jets, the German Air Force 31, the Italian Air Force purchased 21 and Spain will get 20. The first T3 deliveries will begin in 2013 and will go ahead until 2017. The total value of the contract is about 9 Billion euro, a significant amount for the four companies involved in the program:  Alenia Aeronautica, BAE Systems, EADS-Germany and EADS-Spain."

Tags: Alenia Aermacchi, Aerospace

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