After the go ahead
decision from the German parliament (Bundestag), NATO Eurofighter and Tornado
Management Agency (NETMA) and Eurofighter Jagdflugzeuge GmbH have signed a
€14 billion (approx. $17.6 billion) contract covering the second tranche of
Eurofighter aircraft.
This important milestone for the Eurofighter-Typhoon program was announced by
the British Minister of Defense Geoffrey Hoon in London. Furthermore, tranche 2
green light is the most important decision involving the European Defense this
year. According to EADS sources, this contract also improves the export chances
of high-tech Eurofighter. Uncertainty regarding the continuation of the program
has ended following the contract signing ceremony.
Eurofighter-Typhoon aircraft to be delivered under tranche 2 will fully meet
NATO and European Union (EU) requirements on network enhanced capabilities for
all the air forces involved in this project. These aircraft will be capable of
performing both air-to-air and air-ground missions with superior effectiveness
over its predecessors such as Tornado or F/A-18 Hornet. These enhanced
capabilities associated to tranche 2 aircraft have been achieved thru
integration of new improved software and state-of-the-art weaponry.
Overall,
Eurofighter-Typhoon program comprises three batches to deliver at least 620
aircraft to the four partner nations. Each batch has been associated with
different aircraft capability standards. The second production batch includes
delivery of 236 aircraft that will be distributed as follows: German Air Force
68, Spanish Air Force 33, Royal Air Force (UK) 89 and Italian Air Force 46. In
addition, Austria, as the first export customer, will receive 18 aircraft to
tranche 2 standard.
Deliveries of Eurofighter under tranche 2 agreement will begin in 2008 and will
continue until an undisclosed date. The new aircraft standard will deliver a
powerful swing-role aircraft (with air-to-air and air-to-ground roles) earlier
than envisaged. The United Kingdom share on the second batch is
£4.3 billion.
Source:
Copyright © 2003-2017 deagel.com website. All rights reserved.