Italy places order for up to 24 Eurofighters
On 23 December 2024, Eurofighter and NETMA (the NATO Eurofighter and Tornado Management Agency) signed a contract for up to 24 Eurofighters, designated F-2000A and TF-2000A, for the Aeronautica Militare (Italian Air Force, ItAF).
This announcement comes at a strategically significant moment for the Eurofighter programme and follows a recent contract signed on 20 December for 25 Eurofighters for the Ejército del Aire y del Espacio (EAE, Spanish Air and Space Force).
The new Italian Eurofighters will replace the Tranche 1 variants currently in service (F-2000A MM7235 – MM7287 and TF-2000A MM55092 - MM55097 and MM55128 - MM55130). These aircraft, which have only Basic Air Defence Capability, are considered obsolete by modern standards and are slated for retirement in 2029.
Italy’s initial order for Eurofighters consisted of 121 aircraft, with an additional nine optional units. This comprised 106 single-seaters and 15 two-seaters, built by Alenia Aeronautica (now Leonardo Aircraft Division as of 1 January 2017), serving as the prime contractor.
However, on 20 July 2010, the order was revised downward when the Minister of Defence confirmed the cancellation of 25 Tranche 3B aircraft. This adjustment reduced the total order to 96 aircraft. Subsequently, with the cancellation of F-2000A MM7283 IS015, the total decreased further to 95 aircraft, consisting of 81 F-2000As and 14 TF-2000As.
The first example, TF-2000A MM55092, was delivered on 19 February 2004, followed by the first single-seater, F-2000A MM7270, on 28 February 2005. Both were assigned to the 4º Stormo at Grosseto.
Details regarding the breakdown of single-seaters (F-2000A) and two-seaters (TF-2000A) within this latest order remain unspecified.
Airbus Defence and Space currently holds orders for the delivery of 142 Eurofighter Typhoon fighters, including 73 for Germany, 45 for Spain, and 24 for Italy.
Credit photo: Aeronautica Militare