Italy set to buy additional Eurofighters

Italian Air Force Eurofighter Typhoon combat aircraft on the ramp at Nellis Air Force Base in the US. Consortium partner BAE Systems has confirmed that the country is looking to increase its fleet with additional aircraft. (Janes/Gareth Jennings)

Italy is set to buy additional Eurofighter Typhoon combat aircraft, with government approval to be sought in the third quarter (Q3) of 2024.

Consortium partner BAE Systems confirmed the potential sale, which Janes first reported from the IQPC International Fighter conference (IFC) in November 2023, with a senior company official saying on 14 May that Italy is looking to add to the 96 Eurofighters it has already received, of which 94 remain in service.

“Italy is now looking at more core aircraft,” Mike Baulkwill, Combat Air Strategy director at BAE Systems said, adding, “There will be a parliamentary process over the summer to look at a further buy.”

Baulkwill did not disclose further details, but Janes was told at IFC 2023 in Madrid that the Italian Air Force (Aeronautica Militare Italiana: AMI) is looking at a further 24 aircraft as it prepares for the retirement of its 36 Panavia Tornado Interdiction Strike (IDS), 16 Tornado Electronic Combat Reconnaissance (ECR) aircraft, and potentially to replace some or all of its 26 (including 10 twin-seat) early model Eurofighter Tranche 1 fleet.

At that time, Leonardo declined to comment to Janes on the expected additional buy, while the AMI said, “As of today, the Italian Air Force is not aware of any additional contract related to Eurofighter Typhoons.”