The super fighter defending
European skies

09 July 2024

Bridging current and future technologies, which is essential for Defence and international stability. This is the aim of the Eurofighter programme, the most important industrial collaboration project in aeronautics, which involves four nations (Italy, Germany, the United Kingdom and Spain) and three partner companies (Leonardo, Airbus and BAE Systems). This is described by Lorenzo Vita’s article in “Il Messaggero”.

In the current scenario, characterised by increasing instability and the constant development of new technologies, the Eurofighter Typhoon has consolidated itself over the years as a fundamental European security asset, becoming the true backbone of air defence.

The goal of the programme - in which Leonardo participates with a 21% share, rising to 36% if considering the construction of the aircraft airframe, avionics and on-board electronics - is to develop new elements to make the Typhoon an aircraft  capable of handling highly complex missions. A bridge between current and future technologies, but also a system capable of operating in a multi-domain ecosystem, interacting with elements ranging from the physical operational scenario to the cyber and electronic world.

In addition to its military importance, the Eurofighter programme also represents a real industrial spin-off. It generates a chain of know-how, jobs, technological innovation and export revenue. An industrial and technological development engine with a significant impact on the economy, with the forecast of 98,000 hires and benefits for the GDP and tax revenues of the producer countries.