The Italian Air Force can expect 24 new Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jets, which were contracted yesterday, December 23, in Rome. A firm agreement was signed between the consortium and NETMA (the NATO Eurofighter and Tornado Management Agency).
The new aircraft are being ordered to replace the oldest Eurofighter Tranche 1 jets currently in service with the Italian Air Force. These aircraft were received in the early 2000s, achieving operational readiness in 2005.
The Italian defense conglomerate Leonardo, which holds a 21% stake in the Eurofighter GmbH consortium, officially announced the signing of the agreement. However, the official statement did not include the contract price or its execution timeline. This information is particularly intriguing, especially since the contract was expected to carry an astronomical price tag even by today's standards.
In fact, back in July of this year, the procurement project indicated a cost of 7.5 billion euros for 24 Eurofighters in Tranche 4 and Tranche 5 versions. This translates to approximately 312 million euros per Eurofighter Typhoon, presumably as part of a comprehensive supply package.
Despite the "leak" of this information, no explanations have been provided by the Italian defense ministry. The project also mentioned the duration of the program—until 2034—which presumably marks the timeline for the delivery or operational readiness of the last aircraft.
If the price turns out to be accurate, it likely reflects a comprehensive budget where the cost of the aircraft, while significant, is only a portion of the total. A benchmark for the actual value of the aircraft can be seen in Spain, which just a few days ago contracted 25 Eurofighters for 4 billion euros. This price includes only two simulators and an "initial service package," suggesting an estimated cost of 160 million euros per Eurofighter.
It is worth noting that the Italian Air Force currently operates 93 Eurofighter Typhoons, 49 Tornadoes in various versions, over 20 F-35As out of 75 ordered, and a few of the 20 F-35Bs ordered. Additionally, the Italian Navy has 10 AV-8B Harriers and is in the process of acquiring 20 F-35Bs.
For the Eurofighter consortium, a challenging period is ahead, as the main priority now is to fulfill new orders. Besides Italy and Spain with 49 aircraft, Turkey is also close to purchasing 40. Even if they are used, the aircraft will still undergo repairs and upgrades.