In a strategic move to strengthen their air forces, Italy, Germany, and Spain are expanding their Eurofighter Typhoon fleets, joining the ranks of Middle Eastern nations also seeking to increase their aerial combat capabilities.

As NATO members and key players in regional security, Italy and Spain have initiated processes to augment their existing Eurofighter Typhoon squadrons, with Spain earmarking a substantial 4.5 billion euros ($4.8 billion) for an additional 25 aircraft, alongside simulators and maintenance support.

This decision aims to bolster Spain’s already significant fleet of 68 Eurofighters, with an expected delivery of another 20 by 2026.

Germany is not far behind, showing a keen interest in adding more core aircraft to its arsenal. BAE Systems, as a vital part of the Eurofighter consortium, which also includes Airbus and Leonardo, has made it clear that enhancing the Eurofighter’s capabilities is critical to maintaining its relevance well into the 2040s.

David Hulme of BAE Systems highlighted that Germany, Spain, and potentially Italy are all actively considering further Eurofighter acquisitions.

The Middle East is witnessing a similar trend, with Saudi Arabia and Qatar exploring options to extend their fleets in response to increasing regional tensions, notably with Iran.

Saudi Arabia’s interest has even extended to possibly obtaining European fighters such as the Dassault Rafale, while Qatar has considerably ramped up its air force capacity, now boasting an impressive lineup of F-15QAs, Rafales, and Eurofighters.

Celebrating three decades of service this past March, the Eurofighter Typhoon has proven to be a stalwart of air superiority with an extensive production run of 592 advanced aircraft.

Its service with the UK’s Royal Air Force, the German Luftwaffe, the Italian Air Force, and the Spanish Air & Space Force underscores the aircraft’s standing as a mainstay in the global defense landscape.

It appears set to spread its wings even further as more nations recognize the Eurofighter’s formidable combination of performance, versatility, and upgradability.

The Eurofighter’s legacy is buttressed by the noteworthy milestones of its maiden flight in 1994, marking the rise of a truly European combat aircraft.

A collaboration between Germany, the UK, Italy, and Spain gave birth to an all-weather, twin-engine multirole fighter managed by the Eurofighter consortium and Airbus, BAE Systems, and Leonardo.

Notably, the Eurofighter’s prowess is not just in its flight capabilities but also in its significant economic footprint. It underpins an estimated 100,000 European jobs and involves 400 companies across the continent.

The program’s impact on German GDP alone is projected to be around €6.5 billion by 2060, while also contributing a considerable €3.6 billion in tax revenue.

Spain’s involvement in the program is similarly notable, with an anticipated 26,000 jobs secured until 2060 and a projected €1.7 billion injection into the Spanish GDP.

Relevant articles:
– The Eurofighter Typhoon Is the Fighter Plane Every Nation Wants, The National Interest
– #EurofighterNextGen – Taking the Eurofighter to the next level, airbus.com
– The Eurofighter Typhoon Fighter Is an ‘Engendered Species’, The National Interest
– What does the future hold for Eurofighter Typhoon fgr4, Airforce Technology