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Italy Follows Spain and Upgrades Its Fleet with 24 Eurofighter Typhoons Featuring Captor-E Radar.
The European Eurofighter consortium is strengthening its position as Italy signed a contract on December 23, 2024, for the acquisition of 24 new Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft. This decision follows Spain's recent confirmation of an order for 25 additional units, underscoring the Eurofighter's central role in Europe's air defense. These acquisitions represent a significant milestone for the Eurofighter program, reaffirming partner nations' confidence in this versatile combat aircraft's capabilities.
An Italian Eurofighter Typhoon set a record with an eight-hour ISR mission in Kuwait on September 6, 2022 (Picture source: Eurofighter)
The long-anticipated Italian order was formalized after government approval, sought by the Ministry of Defense in July 2024. These new aircraft will replace the Tranche 1 models currently in service, a version introduced in the early 2000s and now considered outdated. While effective during their time, these older aircraft cannot be upgraded to incorporate modern technologies without incurring prohibitive costs or facing technical limitations. The new acquisition will not only renew Italy's fighter fleet but also enhance its ability to address contemporary technological challenges and emerging threats.
The Eurofighter Typhoon is a twin-engine multirole fighter developed by a European consortium that includes EADS, Alenia Aeronautica, and BAE Systems. Designed for versatility, the aircraft excels in missions ranging from air superiority and airspace surveillance to ground-attack operations such as interdiction, close air support, maritime strikes, and suppression of enemy air defenses. Its delta-wing configuration with canards provides exceptional agility and optimal performance in both subsonic and supersonic flight. Advanced technologies, such as a Human-Machine Interface (HMI), voice command systems (DVI/O), and integrated sensors, equip the Typhoon with enhanced situational awareness and adaptability to evolving threats.
In terms of armament, the Eurofighter features 13 hardpoints for carrying air-to-air missiles such as the AMRAAM and ASRAAM, as well as air-to-ground munitions like the Storm Shadow and Brimstone. Its radar system has evolved from the mechanically scanned Captor-M to the more advanced AESA Captor-E, offering greater range, improved ground-attack capabilities, and enhanced electronic protection. The aircraft is also equipped with modern defensive systems, including the Defensive Aids Sub-System (DASS), which integrates jamming, detection, and self-protection capabilities to counter contemporary threats. Its EUROJET EJ200 engines provide reliability, power, and operational cost efficiency, making it a highly adaptable and capable platform.
The assembly of these aircraft will take place at Leonardo's facilities in Turin, following the decentralized production structure characteristic of the Eurofighter program. Each aircraft is built with components sourced from multiple European manufacturers, highlighting the transnational industrial cooperation that defines the project. Italy currently operates Typhoons from Tranches 1, 2, and 3. With this order, the country will become the fourth nation to acquire Tranche 4 aircraft, joining Germany, Spain, and other consortium partners.
The new Italian Typhoons will integrate the latest technological advancements, including the active electronically scanned array (AESA) Captor-E radar, which replaces the older Captor-M system. This radar significantly enhances detection and tracking performance, bolstering Italy's ability to monitor airspace and address advanced threats. Additional upgrades from the Phase 4 enhancement program include advanced electronic warfare capabilities, an improved defensive system (DASS), and automated sensor management.
This order aligns with a broader effort to modernize Italy's armed forces. The new aircraft, designated F-2000A for single-seaters and TF-2000A for two-seaters in Italy, reflect technological advancements that make retrofitting older Tranche 1 models impractical or economically unviable. Deliveries of the Tranche 4 aircraft are expected to continue through 2030, ensuring Italy maintains a fighter fleet capable of countering the latest threats and leveraging cutting-edge technologies.
Italy's announcement comes as the Eurofighter consortium remains a key player in the European defense industry. Spain recently ordered 25 new aircraft to replace its aging EF-18 Hornets, and Germany is already exploring proposals for a potential Tranche 5. This dual commercial success within a single week underscores the Typhoon's relevance in Europe's strategic landscape. This momentum also occurs as competing programs, such as the American F-35 and the Franco-German SCAF (Future Combat Air System), vie for dominance in advanced aerial technologies.
In conclusion, the Italian order reinforces the Eurofighter program's role as a cornerstone of European air defense. By acquiring a modernized fleet and integrating state-of-the-art technologies, Italy ensures its ability to meet future challenges while strengthening cooperation with its industrial and military partners across Europe. Amid accelerating technological advancements and rising international tensions, the Eurofighter Typhoon remains a symbol of European collaboration and its capacity to adapt to 21st-century defense needs.