The NATO Eurofighter and Tornado Management Agency, or NEMA, has signed a contract for Italy to purchase up to 24 units of the Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft. The NEMA deal with the four-nation Eurofighter consortium, composed of Italy, Spain, Germany and the United Kingdom, further provides momentum to the Italian Air Force’s modernization program.
According to Leonardo, the Italian firm involved in the Eurofighter program, the equipment on Italy’s new Eurofighters will include advanced avionics and weapons systems enhanced for operating the sensors on the Brimstone III and Meteor missiles for improved connectivity.
Shared Country Capabilities
Stefano Pontecorvo, Leonardo chairman, said the level of technology that the Eurofighter program has delivered proves the “outstanding synergies” of its participants. “We’re proud of what we’ve built together and we’re committed to providing our contribution to make sure Italy and all other partner nations continue to receive the level of capability they deserve.”
The other companies participating in the Eurofighter program are the French aerospace firm Airbus and the United Kingdom’s BAE Systems.
The contract signing for the Italian Eurofighter procurement follows Spain’s announcement on Dec. 20 of an additional 25 aircraft orders.
Of Italy’s $10.38 billion 2024 defense budget, Rome allocated $770 million for the 24 Eurofighter Typhoon fourth-tranche jets. These jets will replace the Italian Air Force’s 26 first-tranche aircraft, scheduled for a 2029 phaseout. Leonardo noted that the new Eurofighters’ service life extends “well beyond 2060,” and their technical features will enable full integration into future European aerial battlefields.