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RAF receives first Tranche 2 Eurofighter |
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Monday, 13 October 2008 |
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Deliveries have begun for the second stage of the Eurofighter Typhoon project.
The Royal Air Force (RAF) has received its first Tranche 2 Eurofighter Typhoon multi-role fighter jet, as deliveries of the new aircraft begin.
The Eurofighter is being produced under three separate contracts (referred to as tranches), each for aircraft with improved capabilities, and the delivery of BS040 to the RAF marks the beginning of the second phase.
Tranche 2 consists of 251 aircraft for air forces in Germany, Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom, as well as an additional 72 aircraft for Saudi Arabia.
With deliveries now expected to occur regularly, Germany will be waiting for 79 aircraft, Italy 47 and Spain 34, while the UK is to receive 91 Typhoons during this second stage.
The Eurofighter Typhoon is being designed and manufactured by a consortium consisting of Alenia Aeronautica, BAE Systems and Eads. The holding company, Eurofighter GmbH, was formed in 1986.
As of May 2008, some 146 Eurofighter Typhoons had been built. Air forces from across Europe and the world had ordered 707 of the fighter jets by the beginning of this year.
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