In July 2024, rumors surfaced at the Farnborough International Airshow about potential new sales for the Eurofighter Typhoon, though Eurofighter representatives remained tight-lipped, hinting only at a possible announcement later in the year. The defense media waited until late December for confirmation, which arrived with significant developments for the Typhoon order book. On December 20, Spain signed a contract for 25 Eurofighter Typhoons under the Halcon II program, comprising 21 single-seat and four twin-seat aircraft. These will replace aging EF-18A Hornets in the Spanish Air and Space Force, with deliveries starting in 2030.
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Managed by the NATO Eurofighter and Tornado Management Agency (NETMA), this follows a 2022 order for 20 aircraft, bringing Spain’s total Eurofighter fleet to 115. The new Tranche 4 aircraft feature advanced avionics, including the Captor-E Mk 1 AESA radar, and enhanced weaponry like Brimstone 3 and Meteor missiles, bolstering Spain’s NATO role and securing its industrial base. Mike Schoellhorn, CEO of Airbus Defence and Space, hailed the Eurofighter as Europe’s premier fighter jet and a symbol of industrial collaboration, emphasizing its role in maintaining air superiority and supporting Spain’s supply chain. Assembled at Airbus’s Getafe site in Madrid, the new jets upgrade Spain’s existing Tranche 1, 2, and 3A fleets. Eurofighter CEO Giancarlo Mezzanatto called the order a “renaissance” for the program, highlighting Spain’s commitment as a core nation and the economic and security benefits extending beyond 2060, ensuring integration with future European air combat systems.
Just three days later, on December 23, Italy announced an order for 24 Eurofighter Typhoons to replace its Tranche 1 aircraft. Mezzanatto celebrated this as further evidence of the program’s strength, with two core nations modernizing their air forces within a week. Stefano Pontecorvo, chairman of Leonardo, praised the technological synergies between industry and institutions, while Lorenzo Mariani, Leonardo’s co-general manager, noted the program’s contributions to national defense, technology, and jobs. NETMA’s AVM Simon Ellard (ret) underscored the Italian order’s enhancement of combat capabilities and NATO security.
Like Spain’s, Italy’s new Tranche 4 jets will feature advanced avionics and weaponry, designed to serve alongside sixth-generation fighters beyond 2060. Details on Italy’s single- and twin-seat breakdown were not disclosed. These contracts mark a significant boost for the Eurofighter program, reinforcing its role as Europe’s leading defense collaboration, delivering cutting-edge technology, and sustaining economic benefits across partner nations.