Italy orders 24 Typhoon jets from BAE – job boost for Lancashire
The Italian Air Force has ordered 24 Eurofighter aircraft from BAE Systems.
The announcement comes at a strategically important time for the Eurofighter programme and follows the contract signing last Friday (20 December) for 25 Eurofighters for the Spanish Air Force.
The 24 new Italian Eurofighter Typhoon jets will replace Italian Tranche 1 versions that are currently in service.
Giancarlo Mezzanatto, Chief Executive of Eurofighter, said: “Italy’s decision to purchase an additional 24 jets is, of course, fantastic news for our programme, further demonstrating the strength and importance that Eurofighter Typhoon brings to Europe.
“During this past seven days we have seen two of the four Eurofighter Core Nations sign new contract orders, with a clear desire to modernise their Air Forces and making Eurofighter their number one choice of aircraft.”
As with the new Halcon II Spanish order from last week, the new Italian Eurofighters will be equipped with advanced avionics, enhanced weapon systems capable of operating Brimstone III and Meteor, new sensors and improved connectivity.
With a service life well beyond 2060, its technical capabilities will allow full integration into the Europe’s future air combat environment.
The contracts secure highly-skilled jobs in the North West with 6,000 people directly employed on the Typhoon programme at BAE Systems. A study by Oxford Economics shows the programme supports 9,280 jobs in the North West including many in the supply chain.
Both the Italian and Spanish contracts were announced by Eurofighter GmbH, the body which represents the three main companies behind the consortium, Airbus, BAE Systems and Leonardo.
Richard Hamilton, Managing Director – Europe & International for BAE Systems’ Air sector, said: “Today’s announcement by Italy following Spain’s recent decision to purchase additional Typhoons reinforces the aircraft’s position as the backbone of European air defence.
“Every day we see the important role Typhoon plays as part of NATO in delivering air security in the skies over Europe and this investment only strengthens the international partnership which Typhoon underpins.
“We are proud of our long term role on the programme, which continues to make significant contribution to the UK economy, supporting more than 20,000 jobs across the nation and generating billions of pounds across the UK and Europe.
“Together with our Eurofighter partners, our people will work together to ensure Typhoon continues its enviable reputation for performance, reliability, availability and safety.”
The news also follows Italy’s Leonardo and Japan Aircraft Industrial Enhancement Co (JAIEC), reaching an agreement to form a new company under a business joint venture for the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP), subject to regulatory approvals.
The agreement will benefit the region’s industrial base, which is home to significant BAE Systems operations in Lancashire and Cumbria.
It also builds on the strong trilateral government, defence, and industrial cooperation between the UK, Japan, and Italy on GCAP since it was established in December 2022.
BAE Systems operates factories in Warton and Salmesbury, near Preston, building military aircraft, as well as a submarine building facility in Barrow, and employs around 15,000 staff in the region.
Source: Michael Taylor - The Business Desk