The Spanish Air Force has awarded a 500-million-pound ($614 million) contract to British aerospace firm BAE Systems for the manufacture and delivery of 20 additional Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft.
The announcement was made during the 2022 ILA Berlin International Air Show on Thursday.
According to the company, the new aircraft will be equipped with an advanced electronically-scanning radar to ensure that they are ready for the future battlespace.
“The Spanish Government’s commitment to purchasing additional Typhoons reinforces its position as one of the world’s most successful combat military aircraft,” BAE Systems official Andrea Thompson stated in a press release.
Work for the contract will be carried out at the company’s production facilities in Samlesbury and Warton beginning this summer.
European aerospace firm Airbus will be responsible for the final assembly of the aircraft before deliveries commence in 2025.
Once delivered, Europe will have a total of 545 Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft.
‘Secure Skies’
Thompson explained that the Eurofighter Typhoon plays an important role in delivering air security in the skies over Europe.
She further noted that the decision to buy additional Typhoon aircraft reflects Spain’s confidence in its performance.
“Our people will now work alongside our Eurofighter partners to ensure we provide the Spanish Air Force with the aircraft it needs to secure its skies for decades to come,” she said.
The Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft will reportedly replace the country’s aging F-18 Hornets based at Gando Air Base.
Eurofighter Typhoon Capabilities
An advanced swing-role combat aircraft, the Eurofighter Typhoon is designed to provide air forces with simultaneously deployable air-to-air and air-to-surface capabilities.
It has a “supercruise” capability, enabling high-speed flight at sustained speeds of over Mach 2 (2,470 kilometers/1,534 miles per hour).
According to BAE Systems, the aircraft serves as the “backbone” of combat air defense for the UK and international allies.
Equipped with an advanced radar, the Typhoon can locate, identify, and neutralize enemy air defenses.
It can also gather large amounts of data in the battlespace through its Large Area Display cockpit, providing enhanced situational awareness.