The ministry’s request, submitted on July 4, 2024, seeks governmental approval for this acquisition and the renewal of technical and logistic support for the entire fleet. The document, which lacks detailed specifics, indicates that the request will be reviewed by the Commission for Foreign Affairs and Defense and the Commission for Balance, with a decision expected by August 13.

The new Eurofighter Typhoons are anticipated to replace the older Tranche 1 models currently in service. These advanced aircraft are expected to feature the latest avionics, new radar systems, and capabilities to interact with loyal wingman drones, ensuring Italy’s air defense remains cutting-edge until the introduction of the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) fighter.

The aircraft will be manufactured at the Leonardo facility in Caselle Torinese, near Turin. While the contract’s total value has not been disclosed, speculation suggests that funds from the now-suspended KC-46 program, initially earmarked for tanker fleet renewal, may be redirected to this acquisition.

This move comes shortly after the Italian Ministry of Defense suspended the acquisition of 6 Boeing KC-46 Pegasus tankers, a program valued at 鈧�1.2 billion. Announced on June 24, 2024, the decision was attributed to “changed and unforeseen needs” by the General Staff of the Aeronautica Militare.

It remains uncertain if Italy will pursue alternatives like Airbus鈥� A330 MRTT to bolster its tanker fleet, which currently includes four KC-767A aircraft delivered by Boeing in 2012.

To facilitate this, a final assembly line and service center for Brimstone will be established at MBDA精东影业 Schrobenhausen site. Neither the exact number of missiles ordered nor the value of the contract has yet been specified. 

鈥淭he procurement of Brimstone 3 by Germany is a decisive contribution to the harmonisation of armaments in Europe and the Bundeswehr’s ammunition stockpile,鈥� Eric B茅ranger, CEO of MBDA, stated. 鈥淭he new production line is the first of its kind outside the UK and demonstrates the value of the MBDA cooperation model in ensuring the sovereign supply of critical European defence capabilities.” 

The Brimstone 3 missile is a tactical precision strike weapon designed to engage both stationary and fast-moving targets on land and at sea. It weighs 50kg, has a length of 1.8 meters, and a diameter of 180mm. It is equipped with a tandem-shaped charge warhead. 

The weapon features three modes of operation for different target scenarios: Semi-Active Laser (SAL) guidance for engaging static targets with limited or no radar cross section (RCS); a combination of SAL and Millimetric Wave radar guidance for targeting fast-moving objects in cluttered environments; and a fire-and-forget mode for simultaneous target engagement. 

European countries to jointly acquire over 1,500 Mistral air defense missiles

• Defense

byClement Charpentreau

2024-06-21

During a speech on June 5, 2024, Chancellor Scholz confirmed that the purchase of the new aircraft for the Luftwaffe is in addition to the 38 Eurofighter Typhoons ordered in 2020.听听

Addressing the media, Scholz said: 鈥淚 am strongly in favor of maintaining and expanding production capabilities. That is why we will order 20 more Eurofighters in this legislative period in addition to the 38 aircraft currently in the pipeline.鈥�  

The German leader added: 鈥淲e are also committed to further prospects for the Eurofighter in terms of exports. I already had the opportunity to visit the Eurofighter facility in Manching in January. We shall ensure continuous capacity utilization there.鈥�  

He added that the order would provide Airbus and its suppliers with security for the future.听听

Wir wollen eine starke Luft- und Raumfahrtbranche in Deutschland und Europa. Dazu geh枚rt Planungssicherheit in der Verteidigungsindustrie. Deshalb sorgen wir f眉r verl盲ssliche Auftr盲ge – auch mit der Bestellung von 20 weiteren Eurofightern noch in dieser Legislaturperiode.

— Bundeskanzler Olaf Scholz (@Bundeskanzler)

Eurofighter CEO Giancarlo Mezzanatto said: 鈥淭oday精东影业 announcement from the German government is great news for the Eurofighter programme and our industry partners. It underlines Germany精东影业 long-term commitment to the Eurofighter.鈥� 

Mezzanatto added: 鈥淓urofighter Typhoon will be the backbone of Europe精东影业 defence for decades to come.鈥� 

In June 2020, Germany精东影业 acquisition of 38 Eurofighter Typhoons was estimated to be worth around 鈧�5.4 billion ($5.8 billion). Delivery of the Airbus fourth-generation fighter jets should commence in 2025. 

The Eurofighter Typhoon is a twin-engine, canard-delta wing, multirole fighter, manufactured by a consortium of Airbus, BAE Systems and Leonardo.聽

Airbus receives order for 38 Eurofighter Typhoons from Germany

• Defense

byClement Charpentreau

2020-11-06

The RAF Typhoon jets have been deployed from Romania to Finland to showcase the agility of NATO air assets in responding to evolving security challenges. 

Operating under NATO精东影业 Agile Combat Employment concept, the Typhoon jets, accompanied by a 50-strong support detachment, are poised to engage in sorties from Tikkakoski Air Base, Finland. 

鈥淲e’re taking part in a number of training sorties, which allows us to perform an agile combat employment demonstrating the UK精东影业 capability to quickly move air assets around to where they’re most needed at any given time and return quickly onto the original tasking,鈥� said Squadron Leader Nick Morrison-Smith, Detachment Commander for the RAF participation in the Swift Response exercise. 

The Typhoon jets were previously involved in NATO’s enhanced Air Policing missions in Romania. As the exercise progresses, the RAF contingent will return to the Mihail Kogalniceanu Air Base in Romania, where they will collaborate with their Romanian counterparts to safeguard the skies.  

Agile Combat Employment is a doctrine that aims to equip NATO air forces with the skills necessary to operate in challenging and resource-constrained environments. The program ensures interoperability among all airbases within the alliance. It also enables tactics such as dispersed operations where air assets are spread across multiple locations, making it difficult for enemies to target them. 

In 2023, the Finnish Air Force welcomed RAF Typhoons and Royal Norwegian Air Force F-35s to its annual road base exercise, Baana 23. During the training, they shared knowledge on the practice of highway strip take-offs and landings in both day and night-time conditions.  

Royal Air Force joins Finland for agile combat employment exercise

• Defense

byClement Charpentreau

2023-09-21

This newly adorned Typhoon, sporting a striking paint scheme, pays homage to the historic events of D-Day during the Second World War. It commemorates the 80th Anniversary of the Allies’ landing in Normandy, which led to the liberation of Europe.  

The livery includes historical features such as the RAF Tactical Recognition Flash and black-and-white D-Day stripes on the wings, which allowed the Allies to identify friend from foe during the operation.  

The design is a tribute to a Hawker Typhoon of 257 Squadron designated FM-G that RAF Officer Denzel Jenkins piloted during the D-Day operations. Jenkins later rose to the rank of Officer Commanding (OC) of 257 Squadron, earning accolades such as the Distinguished Flying Cross for his feats. 

The display Typhoon, dubbed “Moggy,鈥� bears the designation ZJ913. Throughout the 2024 season, it will be flown by Flight Lieutenant David “Turbo” Turnbull of 29 Squadron RAF. Based at RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire, 29 Squadron is one of the two Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) stations defending the UK airspace 24/7. 

History hour: The long tradition of air display teams

• Sports Aviation

byClement Charpentreau

2022-04-13

Ground-based testing of the ECRS Mark 2 prototype has been conducted at BAE Systems’ facility in Warton, Lancashire, in recent months. The radar has now been successfully installed on the UK test and evaluation aircraft, BS116, by a collaborative effort involving BAE Systems and Leonardo UK engineers. 

“The radar精东影业 Processor, Receiver, and Antenna Power Supply & Control units have all been re-engineered to further enhance the capacity, capability, and performance of the Mk2 system,鈥� stated Ross Wilson, VP of Engineering Radar and Advanced Targeting at Leonardo UK. 

Flight testing of the ECRS Mark 2 radar is expected to take place later in 2024. The radar will now undergo additional integration work within the Typhoon final assembly hangar at Warton, paving the way for the anticipated flight tests. 

What is Leonardo精东影业 European Common Radar System Mark 2 radar? 

Developed by Leonardo and integrated into the Typhoon by BAE Systems, the ECRS Mark 2 introduces a multi-functional array (MFA). This technology allows the radar to perform traditional functions such as search and targeting, while also conducting electronic warfare tasks. 

The high-gain sensor allows it to track airborne targets and surface-based emitters without emitting a signal, making it versatile for disrupting hostile emitters, whether they are airborne or surface-based. 

One of the radar’s standout features is its ability to execute a potent electronic jamming attack, enabling the Eurofighter Typhoon to locate and neutralize an adversary’s radar while maintaining a safe distance from potential threats. 

The fleet of RAF Typhoon fighters will undergo a modernization program to be fitted with the AESA ECRS Mk2 radar. Operational introduction is expected by 2030. 

鈥淪piral upgrades, including the integration of the UK-development Spear Cap 3, will be enhanced by a significant investment in Radar 2, providing a leap in operation capability that will ensure the Typhoon Force can survive and operate in the most challenging threat scenarios,鈥� RAF spokesperson Martin Tinworth explained to 精东影业. 

Royal Air Force Typhoon T1 fighters to be cannibalized for parts

• Defense

byClement Charpentreau

2023-12-22

The Tranche 1 variant of the Typhoon, the oldest of the four that were developed, is restricted to the use of air-to-air missiles and has very limited air-ground capabilities without the use of an external pod. However, according to their manufacturer BAE Systems, upgrading the Typhoon T1 to a newer standard remained 鈥渢echnically feasible.鈥� 

Nevertheless, in early September 2021 the retirement of the 30 Typhoon Tranche 1 fighter jets in the RAF sustainment fleet, due to occur in 2025, was announced. This raised some controversy, as the fighter jets were set to be retired at just 42% of their useful life (2544.8 flying hours). 

Stripped for parts

Contrary to expectations, the Typhoon T1 will not be sold on the second-hand market, despite attracting interest from Greece and Ukraine. 

Instead, they will be 鈥榗annibalized,鈥� with their usable components being used to supplement the spare parts inventory of the existing Typhoon fleet. This decision was announced by the British minister, indicating that the components of the Typhoon T1 will be used to support the RAF精东影业 remaining 107 Typhoons. 

鈥淪ince February 2022 no Tranche 1 Typhoon aircraft have been retired from RAF service or donated to Ukraine,鈥� Cartlidge said, answering . 鈥淭he Tranche 1 fleet will undergo a Reduce to Produce programme to strip them of useable parts to contribute to the Typhoon fleets spares inventory.鈥� 

A modernization program, funded to the tune of 鈧�2.75 billion, aims to upgrade the remaining Typhoons with the AESA ECRS Mk2 radar (European Common Radar System Mark 2).

鈥淪piral upgrades, including the integration of the UK-development Spear Cap 3, will be enhanced by a significant investment in Radar 2, providing a leap in operation capability that will ensure the Typhoon Force can survive and operate in the most challenging threat scenarios,鈥� RAF spokesman Martin Tinworth explained to 精东影业 at the time. 

Why will the RAF retire Typhoons with over half their useful life left?

• Defense

byVictoria Bryan

2021-09-10

Untimely loss of combat air mass 

The retirement of the Tranche 1 Typhoon aircraft was announced in a Defence Command Paper published on March 19, 2021. In recent years, the RAF has also retired 14 C-130J Hercules, to make way for the A400M and a fleet of six E-3D Airborne Early Warning & Control Sentry aircraft. 

This 鈥榬adical overhaul鈥� of the RAF was criticized in a report from the UK House of Commons Defence Committee published in September 2023.  

鈥淭he RAF精东影业 combat aircraft fleet now provides a boutique high capability: it lacks numerical depth and has an inadequate attrition reserve,鈥� the report summarized. 鈥淓xquisite capability has its place, but in a peer-on-peer conflict such as a shooting war with Russia, every airframe will count. […] The MoD and RAF must consider as a matter of urgency how they can increase combat air mass in the short term.鈥�  

Royal Air Force unprepared for peer-on-peer conflict: parliamentary report

• Defense

byClement Charpentreau

2023-09-12

The infringement on Romanian territory came as Russia launched a sustained drone attack on Ukrainian port infrastructure.聽

According to Romanian officials, the attacks occurred across December 14 and 15, 2023, close to the border its border with Ukraine.  

The Ukrainian ports of Reni and Izmail on the Danube River saw their civil infrastructure attacked by Russian forces. 

鈥淭he Ministry of National Defense monitored the situation in the border area and activated Air Police procedures, also notifying the General Inspectorate for Emergency Situations regarding the areas in Tulcea and Gala葲i,鈥� the Romanian Ministry of Defense said in a statement.  

The Romanian General Inspectorate for Emergency Situations issued a RO-Alert message at 10:45 pm local time.  

F-16 fighter jets from the Romanian Air Force精东影业 86th Air Base in Fete葯ti and Eurofighter Typhoons from the German Air Force were subsequently scrambled to perform surveillance missions of the national airspace. 

The radar surveillance system of the Romanian Army detected a possible unauthorized penetration into the national airspace, with a signal detected at low altitude on a route to the Grindu area, in Tulcea county. 

A possible impact area was investigated and located overnight with news being fed to the Romanian army regarding the drone crater discovered in an uninhabited area about 4 km upstream from the town of Grindu. 

Romania’s 聽said it 鈥渟trongly condemns the attacks carried out by the Russian Federation against some objectives and elements of civil infrastructure in the Ukrainian ports on the Danube. These attacks are unjustified and in serious contradiction with the rules of international humanitarian law鈥�.聽

Evidence from the crash site is being collected and an investigation has been launched.聽

6th generation stealth fighter jet construction approved by UK, Japan and Italy

• Defense

byIan Molyneaux

2023-12-14

This article’s price list includes only the cost of the aircraft itself, without accounting for expenses related to its development, maintenance, and other associated costs. The “ticket price” of a jet may also vary as it is open to negotiations.

With these caveats out of the way, let精东影业 check the Top 10 most expensive fighter jets in 2024!

10. Lockheed Martin F-16 Block 70/72: $63 million

The F-16 was created as a light and maneuverable fighter jet that would offer an affordable alternative to the F-15. Its older variants cost roughly $30 million apiece 鈥� cheaper than the vast majority of contemporary fighters 鈥� but the most advanced ones are really quite pricey. 

The Block 70 and 72 configurations are the most up-to-date iteration of this venerable fighter, which was even renamed F-16V to mark the upgrade. The advancements are most likely very similar to the F-21, a jet Lockheed Martin has offered to India. While we may never know the price of the F-21, the cost of a single F-16 Block 70 gives an insight into how much a top-of-the-line jet, based on the venerable F-16 airframe, may cost.

9. Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet: up to $66.9 million

The F/A-18 Super Hornet came in the late 90s, replacing older Hornets of A, B, C, and D variants. Although originally 鈥� and primarily 鈥� a carrier-based aircraft, it has found a fair share of interest from countries that intend to use it only as a ground-based one.

The latest upgrade of the F/A-18, the Block III configuration, features vast improvements to avionics and weapon systems. It brings the Super Hornet in line with the latest 4.5 generation fighter jets but drives the price up as well.

The most expensive variant of this jet is the EA-18G Growler though, a dedicated electronic warfare aircraft with a price tag of up to $125 million. While it can be equipped with both air-to-air and air-to-ground munitions, it is much too specialized to be considered in the same vein as regular fighter jets.

8. Shenyang FC-31: $70 million

The Shenyang FC-31, also known as J-35 or J-31 is a multi-role fighter aircraft developed by the People’s Republic of China. It is primarily designed for military purposes and intended to serve as a fifth-generation combat aircraft. The FC-31 is intended to be used for various missions, including air superiority, ground attack, and reconnaissance. The FC-31 incorporates stealth technology, advanced avionics, and other features commonly associated with fifth-generation jets. 

In 2019, the People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) turned down the Shenyang FC-31 “Gyrfalcon” in favor of its rival, the Chengdu J-20 “Mighty Dragon.” Despite this setback, the FC-31’s development continued, and there are indications that it could potentially be converted into a carrier-based fighter for the Chinese Navy.

According to U.S. military and industry officials, it is believed that once the J-31 becomes operational, it will likely such as the F-15 Eagle, F-16 Fighting Falcon, and F/A-18E/F Super Hornet. However, its effectiveness against the latest fighters like the US-made F-22 and F-35 would depend on various factors including the quantity of J-31 aircraft deployed, the skill level of pilots, and the capabilities of its radar systems and other sensors. 

7. Saab JAS 39E/F Gripen: $85 million

The Swedish JAS 39 Gripen, of variants C and D, is notorious for being one of the cheapest new 4 or 4.5 generation fighter jets around. Its cost could go as low as $30 million per piece, a bargain for such an advanced machine. 

Its latest variants, the E and F, changed that. While they are still much cheaper to operate than 5th generation fighter jets, the cost of one such jet has more than doubled. An explanation of that lies in jets鈥� differences: almost everything, except for the airframe, got upgraded. New radar, engine, avionics, improved weapons systems 鈥� very little remained of the old Gripen.

In 2012, the new-generation JAS 39 was expected to cost over $100 million. It is only in the latest years that Saab managed to reduce the price, and with the reduction, the Gripen once again became a sought-after jet on the international market.

6. Chengdu J-20: $110 million

Very little is known about the Chinese 5th-generation jet. Its price tag is, too, mere speculation. Nevertheless, the J-20 is not for sale though, as China never intended to export its top weapon.  

A recently unveiled J-20 prototype bearing the serial number 2052 at the Chengdu Aircraft Corporation in China on June 29, 2023. Notably, it is now equipped with two WS-15 turbofan engines. Looking ahead, there is a high likelihood of continued advancements and refinements to the WS-15, with potential variations intended to propel the People’s Liberation Army’s sixth-generation fighter program.

5. Dassault Rafale: around $115 million

There are varying reports about the price of the Rafale, ranging between $100 and $120 million per piece in the most basic configuration. The French Air Force definitely bought the fighter for much less. In comparison, the deal reached by the Indian Air Force 鈥� reportedly, full of minute, but pricey enhancements 鈥� was more expensive, and is often criticized for that.

Being one of the most advanced aircraft of its generation and manufactured in one of the most expensive regions of the world, the Rafale is not cheap. 

4. Boeing F-15EX: $117 million

The F-15 itself was not supposed to be cheap, and its latest variant, the F-15EX, demonstrates that. It is supposed to replace older C and D models while being more affordable than the most advanced 5th-generation jets. That affordability comes mostly from operational costs. 

Its operating cost is 鈥渙nly鈥� $29,000 per hour. This cost represents one-third of the total operating cost of the F-35. That, as well as its similarity to previous models of the F-15, makes the F-15EX an attractive aircraft for many countries. 

3. Eurofighter Typhoon: around $124 million

Another European fighter jet, the Eurofighter Typhoon may cost as cheap as $50 million for countries within the European Union that participated in its development, but the export price is much higher. In 2018, Airbus reportedly offered Eurofighters to India for as much as 鈧�138 million per piece, which is still cheaper than what was paid for Rafales. 

2. Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor: $143 million

Praised as one of the best fighter jets in the world, the F-22 Raptor holds a prominent position. Developed by Lockheed Martin for the United States Air Force, this fifth-generation, single-seat, twin-engine, all-weather stealth air superiority fighter boasts top-notch attributes.   

It incorporates highly dependable stealth technology, earning it recognition as one of the best in its class.

1. Lockheed Martin F-35: $177 million

The F-35 went down in history as the most expensive weapon system ever. Operational costs of the newest fifth-generation fighter jet are some of the highest in the world, making the aircraft relatively expensive to buy and maintain. From 2022, the unit cost of F-35 has further increased because of inflation, lower quantities, and improved capabilities. 

In a report published in late May 2023, the US Government Accountability Office (GAO) wrote that 鈥渢he program attributes the increased procurement cost to , along with support costs for equipment, technical data, and training.鈥� 

The A, B, and C variants of the F-35 are, for all intents and purposes, different aircraft. The most expensive is the F-35B, designed for short take-off and vertical landing (STOVL). 

With a price tag of approximately $177 million per unit, it also claims the title of the most expensive aircraft on this list.

A table: Top 10 most expensive fighter jets in 2024

The deployment, which includes around 150 personnel, demonstrates a coordinated response to the region’s evolving security dynamics, particularly along the Ukraine-Romania border. 

The Eurofighter Typhoon is a highly agile multirole fighter jet, known for its advanced avionics and dual air-to-air and air-to-surface capabilities. Its design focuses on maneuverability, stealth, and sophisticated sensors, ensuring superior situational awareness and combat effectiveness in modern air warfare. 

Eurofighter jets stationed at Mihail Kogalniceanu air base near Constanta, Romania, are set to begin operational duties on November 27, 2023, bolstering NATO’s air defense capabilities on its southeastern flank. 

This move not only demonstrates Germany’s commitment to its NATO ally, Romania, but also a strategic positioning in response to recent security challenges, such as the discovery of drone fragments near the Romania-Ukraine border which are thought to be similar to those used by Russia in its attacks against Ukraine. 

The discovery of numerous drone fragments has resulted in increased civilian protection efforts and Romania strengthening its military presence in the region, including the deployment of anti-aircraft units, the construction of air-raid shelters, and the distribution of emergency alerts to citizens near the border.聽

Along with the German contingent, the United States has contributed to NATO’s southeastern flank security by deploying four F-16 multirole fighters to Romania on September 22, 2023, reinforcing the alliance’s commitment to securing the airspace and addressing potential threats.聽

Romania opens F-16 training hub to strengthen NATO精东影业 regional capabilities

• Defense

byEmilia Stankeviciute

2023-11-14