nato eurofighter and tornado management agency nedma has signed a landmark contract for the
acquisition of 20 next generation eurofighter typhoon jets known as the alcone program the
order will include the delivery of a fleet of 16 single seat and 420 scan
electronically scanned radar-equipped fighters to replace the spanish-operated f-18 fleet
air force in the canary islands this contract will see spain's eurofighter fleet grow to 90 aircraft
with first deliveries due in 2026 the new aircraft will enhance and position the spanish air force's
fighter fleet among its nato allies with the most modern fighter jets developed in europe
as well as secure industrial activity until 2030.
serving spain since 2003 the country's air force operates the eurofighter from the air
bases of [ __ ] 11th wing and albaseta 14th wing securing spanish territory and playing a key
role at the heart of nato in various air policing missions in baltic and more recently the black sea
with the arrival of this new aircraft spain will also equip a third base with eurofighter jets
namely gano in the canary islands which is home to the 46th wing
this additional order reinforces spain's commitment not only to the eurofighter but
also to its development and industrial environment i want to thank customers for their firm position
on european defense at a time of greatest need said mike schohorn ceo of airbus defense and space
the acquisition valued at 2.043 billion euros was approved by the spanish council of ministers
on december 14 2021 and includes the aircraft engines simulators and necessary support services
the spanish eurofighter typhoon is assembled tested and delivered at the airbus atapa site
spain and its industrial footprint translates into over twenty thousand direct and indirect
jobs in spain alone major national defense and technology companies are involved in the
manufacturing process airbus has also been working at hattafi in coordination with the spanish air
force armament and experimental logistics center clax to make various modifications such as
the implementation of the new cm-02 plus software package for the one tranch-1 fighters
the main tactical improvement offered by the software is the new capacity for automatic
targeting of air-to-surface weapons following the integration of the lightning-free targeting pod
further air-to-air and air-to-surface capabilities have also been introduced
the eurofighter typhoon is a european multinational twin engine
delta canard wing multi-role fighter aircraft the typhoon is an extremely agile aircraft designed to
be an effective dog fighter in combat production aircraft war then increasingly better equipped
to perform air-to-surface attack missions and to be compatible with a growing number of different
weaponry and equipment including storm shadow brimstone and marta er missiles the typhoon was
originally designed as an air superiority fighter and is manufactured by a consortium of airbus
bae systems and leonardo which undertakes most of the project through its joint parent company
eurofighter jag fluxie and gmbh nato's zero fighter typhoon and tornado management agency
which represents the uk germany italy and spain manages the project and is a major customer
the eurofighter typhoon is the largest defense program in europe involving the
four core countries of britain spain germany and italy in addition to his technological prowess
he secured more than 100 000 jobs in europe
to date the eurofighter program has recorded 681 aircraft orders to nine countries around the world