The Eurofighter initiative for Kuwait is advancing as anticipated with effective shipments. Acceptance procedures were concluded through a collaborative effort between Kuwaiti and Italian teams from the Joint International Program Office.
The fifth and sixth Eurofighter Typhoons for the Kuwait Air Force arrived yesterday as part of a broader contract for a total of 28 jets that are set to be supplied to the nation’s Air Force.
The delivery flight for the new Kuwaiti Eurofighters was facilitated through assistance from the Italian Air Force, which provided air-to-air refueling using a KC-767A tanker from the 14th Wing, Pratica di Mare.
Guido Sibona, Vice President of Leonardo’s Eurofighter Programme, expressed: “We take pride in delivering two additional Eurofighters to our client, including the inaugural single-seater model. These jets now join those operating at the new Salem Al Sabah base, which have recently accomplished the significant feat of one hundred flight sorties. The Eurofighter Typhoons we have designed for the Kuwait Air Force stand as the most advanced ever produced under the European initiative. Collaborating with the Italian Air Force, we are equipping the nation with comprehensive air defense capabilities, alongside constructing cutting-edge infrastructure to support and maintain a fleet of 28 aircraft.”
One of these aircraft was recently a star attraction at the latest edition of the Royal International Air Tattoo at RAF Fairford in the UK, where the Kuwaiti Air Force participated for the first time since 1993. The pilot, Colonel Eisa Airashidi, leader of the 7th Squadron of the Kuwait Air Force, remarked: “This year, we are immensely proud to return to the Royal International Air Tattoo with the most advanced Eurofighter Typhoon globally. Thanks to the capabilities of this platform, the Kuwait Air Force ranks among the most well-equipped air forces in the region.”
The Eurofighter Kuwait initiative is part of an extensive and intensive partnership between the Italian Air Force and the Kuwait Air Force, encompassing operations, pilot training, and support. The Italian Air Force is currently conducting initial training, in Italy, for the engineers and technicians who will support the Typhoon fleet’s operations in the nation.
Leonardo plays a vital role in the progress of the Eurofighter through the new AESA (Active Electronically Scanned Array) radar implemented on the Eurofighter Typhoons for Kuwait, enhancing the jets’ performance and capabilities.
The Eurofighter Typhoon benefits from a well-defined schedule of technological advancements and improvements, ensuring state-of-the-art capabilities throughout its entire lifespan. Continually developing technologies, both onboard and in logistical support, enhance operational proficiency, survivability, and optimal management.
The Eurofighter programme stands as a crucial pillar in the advancement of European aerospace and defense technologies, providing the involved industries with technical leadership that will ensure the competitiveness of numerous next-generation initiatives.
The Eurofighter project is overseen by the Eurofighter GmbH consortium, composed of Leonardo, BAE Systems, and Airbus Defense & Space for Germany and Spain. At the governmental level, the programme is administered by the NATO Eurofighter & Tornado Management Agency (NETMA), established to fulfill the procurement requirements of the air forces of the four participating nations: Italy, the United Kingdom, Germany, and Spain.
Leonardo contributes approximately 36% of the overall value of the project, with a significant role in aeronautical components and onboard electronics, supplying over 60% of the aircraft’s onboard avionics.
In addition to the four partner nations, which have already placed orders for 510 Typhoons, international clientele now includes Saudi Arabia (72 aircraft), Austria (15), Oman (12), Kuwait (28), and Qatar (24), totaling 661 aircraft on order.
Regarding employment, the Eurofighter programme engages over 100,000 individuals in Europe; more than 20,000 are located in Italy (covering direct, indirect, and induced positions). Over 400 suppliers collaborate on the Typhoon project, with 200 based in Italy.
