Typhoon Remains In Demand

Aviation Week and Space Technology ^ | 1/04/2010 | Douglas Barrie

[ErnstStavroBlofeld]

Securing Tranche 3 was a victory of sorts for Eurofighter in production of the Typhoon: It guarantees additional work to 2016, but the procurement number is less than half of that originally agreed.

Wrapped in the fig leaf of a split-buy, London, rapidly made it clear that there was unlikely to be a further purchase commitment beyond Tranche 3A. Funding pressures and changing circumstances are working to undermine the offtake numbers of the umbrella contract.

While the Typhoon program exemplifies the vicissitudes of collaborative development, it is providing the four partner nations—Germany, Italy, Spain and the U.K.—with a highly capable and eventually multirole fighter platform, 200 of which have been delivered. The German air force deployed its aircraft for the first time in the Baltic air-policing role (DTI July/August 2009, p. 24), while Royal Air Force Typhoons have taken over air defense in the Falklands from the Tornado F3.

Given some good fortune, and adequate political and industrial support, the program could garner further export sales on top of the 72 going to Saudi Arabia and the 15 for Austria. Delivery to the Royal Saudi Air Force is underway.

The aircraft is one of six contenders for India’s Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft—it is due for in-country trials in April—and remains in the frame for Switzerland’s much smaller procurement. An anticipated request for proposals from Tokyo in the first quarter will formally start the purchase of up to 50 aircraft. Saudi Arabia continues to consider a follow-on buy, while Oman remains a regional candidate. Beyond this is a variety of opportunities of varying solidity.

[valkyry1]

The Typhoon is a really great airplane. If I was running the show I would have bought some for us to supplant the F22 force and until the F35 and beyond comes online.

[ErnstStavroBlofeld]

I like the design of the aircraft too.