The Italian Air Force has received a new Eurofighter Typhoon combat aircraft from Leonardo Aircraft Division.
The latest Eurofighter Typhoon delivered is the 500th aircraft produced by the company so far.
Leonardo delivered the first and 100th Eurofighter to the UK Royal Air Force in 2003 and 2006 respectively.
The German Air Force received the 200th aircraft in November 2009, while the 300th aircraft was delivered to the Spanish Air Force in October 2011 and the 400th to the German Air Force in December 2013.
Leonardo Aircraft Division managing director Filippo Bagnato said: “The Eurofighter Typhoon is the largest collaborative industrial programme in Europe, it is a successful and significant contributor to the nation’s economic wellbeing, employing high-skilled workers and generating thousands of high-value manufacturing and engineering jobs.
“We are now fully committed to completing deliveries to the Italian Air Force to develop the capabilities of the aircraft and to the activities envisaged by Kuwait’s contract, while continuing to pursue a number of significant market opportunities around the world.”
The advanced air multi-role fighter has been delivered in collaboration between Italy, the UK, Germany and Spain.
The twin-engine, supersonic Typhoon is equipped with wide range advanced navigation, warning and attack sensors that are capable of exchanging data and information with other aircraft or ground stations.
To date, 599 Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft have been ordered.
The aircraft has recorded close to 400,000 flying hours across the world, and is being enhanced with new capabilities. It is also undergoing test and integration activities for advanced beyond visual range air-to-air missile Meteor, the precision-guided cruise missile Storm Shadow and the precision attack missile Brimstone.
