Finmeccanica Signs Contract to Supply 28 Eurofighter Typhoon to Kuwait
(Source: Finmeccanica; issued April 5, 2016)
Kuwaiti Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Sheikh Khaled Al-Jarrah Al-Sabah and Finmeccanica CEO Mauro Moretti during the contract signing ceremony, while Italian Defense Minister Sen. Roberta Pinotti (background) looks on. (KUNA photo)
The contract, part of an intergovernmental agreement between the two countries, was signed in the presence of the Italian Defence Minister Roberta Pinotti and her Kuwaiti counterpart, H.E. Shaikh Gen. Khaled Al Jarrah Al Sabah.
The contract signed by Finmeccanica includes logistics, operational support and the training of flight crews and ground personnel, which will be carried out in cooperation with the Italian Air Force. The contract also provides for the upgrade of ground-based infrastructure in Kuwait which will be used for Typhoon operations.
The Eurofighter Typhoon for Kuwait, which will be provided in its most advanced configuration, will be equipped with the cutting-edge new E-Scan radar (Electronically Scanned array radar). The radar is developed by the European EuroRADAR consortium which is led by Finmeccanica.
The contract with Kuwait was signed following a thorough flight and technical evaluation of a number of competing aircraft in the same category. It is part of a wide-ranging partnership between the Italian Ministry of Defence and the Kuwait Ministry of Defence, which will continue to strengthen cooperation between the two nations and other European members of the Eurofighter consortium (the UK, Germany and Spain).
“This is Finmeccanica’s largest ever commercial achievement", said Mauro Moretti, Finmeccanica CEO and General Manager. "It is an outstanding industrial success with significant benefits, not only for our company and the other Eurofighter consortium partners, but also for the entire Italian aerospace industry. The contract will support expertise and skilled jobs at Italian small and medium-sized security and defence companies.”
Since entering into service in 2003, over 470 Eurofighters have been delivered to the Air Forces of six countries. The aircraft is currently in service with 22 operational units, and the whole fleet has logged more than 330,000 flight hours with very high efficiency and operational availability.
The Eurofighter Typhoon is the most advanced new generation multi-role/swing-role combat aircraft currently available on the world market. Eight customers have already ordered the Eurofighter Typhoon. With 599 aircraft ordered, Eurofighter Typhoon is currently the largest military procurement programme in Europe. Its high technology strengthens the position of the European aerospace industry in the international market. The programme secures more than 100,000 jobs in 400 companies and about 20,000 jobs in Italy in 200 companies.
Eurofighter Jagdflugzeug GmbH manages the programme on behalf of the Eurofighter Partner Companies Finmeccanica, BAE Systems and Airbus Defence and Space in Germany and Spain, which are the most important aviation and aerospace companies in Europe.
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Kuwait, Italy Sign Eurofighter Contract
(Source: Kuwait News Agency; published April 5, 2016)
Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Sheikh Khaled Al-Jarrah Al-Sabah witnessed signing of the deal with visiting Italian counterpart Roberta Pinotti at the Army Officers' Club earlier today, a statement by the ministry's public relations and moral guidance department noted.
The signing ceremony was also attended by Finmeccanica CEO Mauro Moretti, who inked the deal on behalf of the Italian side.
Finmeccanica is the aerospace company that leads commercial activities in Kuwait and signed the contract on behalf of the Eurofighter consortium.
The aircraft, 22 single seaters and 6 two-seaters, will be produced in Italy.
The statement pointed out the ministry's keenness to acquire highest level of operational capabilities through this purchase.
The contract, the largest ever for Finmeccanica, is an intergovernmental agreement between the two countries and includes logistics, operational support, as well as training of both aircrews and ground personnel. The latter will be carried out in cooperation with the Italian Air Force, and in particular, with the 20th Gruppo, ItAF Typhoon OCU (Operational Conversion Unit) based at Grosseto airbase.
According to the ministry statement, the first two aircraft will arrive in the last quarter of 2019, with the complete arrival of all aircrafts by 2022, and an expected in-service operation till 2050.
Kuwait is the 8th operator of the aircraft along with Austria, Italy, Germany, Oman, Spain, Saudi Arabia and the UK and will get the Typhoon in its most advanced configuration: Tranche 3 planes equipped with the cutting-edge new E-Scan radar (Electronically Scanned array radar).
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Kuwait Joins the Typhoon Family
(Source: UK Ministry of Defence; issued April 5, 2016)
The Typhoon programme currently sustains around 5,500 jobs at BAE Systems in the north-west, where key elements of the Typhoon are manufactured and assembled, as well as many thousands of jobs across the wider supply chain, reaffirming the UK as a leading aerospace manufacturer. The contract between the State of Kuwait, Finmeccanica and the Italian government will further boost UK exports.
Defence Secretary Michael Fallon said:
“This is very positive news. The UK and Kuwait enjoy a long, historic and close relationship. Kuwait’s decision to select Typhoon represents a vote of confidence in this world class aircraft and will further strengthen our defence and security cooperation over the years ahead.
“This is also very positive for jobs across the British aerospace and defence industry. Typhoon aircraft have already been purchased by seven nations around the globe and play a vital role for the RAF in defending UK interests across the world: striking against Daesh, securing British skies, protecting the Falkland Islands and helping to guard Baltic air space.”
Kuwait’s choice is recognition of the wide range of capabilities of this multi-role combat aircraft on the whole range of air operations, as well as its potential to stay at the forefront of military capability for many years. Currently in service with 22 operational units across six nations, the Typhoon has proven its worth from air policing and peace support, all the way to through to high intensity conflict.
The UK government is committed to broadening and deepening the family of Typhoon nations among our allies and partners, and will continue to build on such international success.
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Kuwait Signs Contract for the Delivery of 28 Eurofighter Typhoons
(Source: Eurofighter GmbH; issued April 5, 2016)
The contract confirms the State of Kuwait as the eighth customer in the programme and as the third customer in the Gulf Region next to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Sultanate of Oman.
Speaking on behalf of the consortium and its Eurofighter Partner Companies (EPC) the CEO of Eurofighter, Volker Paltzo, said: “We are delighted to officially welcome the State of Kuwait as a new member of the Eurofighter family.
“The confirmation of this order is further testament of the growing interest in the Eurofighter Typhoon in the Gulf Region. It will enable Kuwait to benefit from the critical mass being developed in the Gulf and the many advantages that it brings to an Air Force in terms of interoperability, training and in-service support.”
Since entry into service of the first Eurofighter Typhoon at the end of 2003, more than 470 aircraft have been delivered to six nations: Germany, the United Kingdom, Italy, Spain, Austria and Saudi Arabia. The Kuwait order follows an order by Oman in December 2012 for twelve aircraft. Eurofighter Typhoon is currently in service at 22 operational units and up to now, the whole fleet has completed more than 330,000 flying hours worldwide.
Background information:
Eurofighter Typhoon is the most advanced new generation multi-role/swing-role combat aircraft currently available on the world market. Eight customers (Germany, the United Kingdom, Italy, Spain, Austria, Saudi Arabia, Oman and Kuwait) have already ordered the Eurofighter Typhoon. With 599 aircraft ordered, Eurofighter Typhoon is currently the largest military procurement programme in Europe.
Its high technology strengthens the position of European aerospace industry in the international market. The programme secures more than 100,000 jobs in 400 companies.
Eurofighter Jagdflugzeug GmbH manages the programme on behalf of the Eurofighter Partner Companies, Airbus Defence and Space in Germany and Spain, BAE Systems and Finmeccanica which are the most important aviation and aerospace companies in Europe.
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Kuwait Signs Contract for the Delivery of 28 Eurofighter Typhoons
(Source: BAE Systems; issued April 5, 2016)
The State of Kuwait will be the third country in the Middle East, and the eighth country overall to operate the aircraft. This confirms Typhoon’s position as the most advanced new generation swing role combat aircraft available today.
The contract signature for 22 single-seat and six twin-seat follows the announcement of an agreement between the State of Kuwait and the Italian Government for the procurement of the aircraft on 11th September 2015. The aircraft will be of Tranche 3 standard and will be equipped with the E-Scan radar.
The contract confirms the State of Kuwait as the eighth customer in the programme and as the third customer in the Gulf Region next to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Sultanate of Oman.
Speaking on behalf of the consortium and its Eurofighter Partner Companies (EPC) the CEO of Eurofighter, Volker Paltzo, said: “We are delighted to officially welcome the State of Kuwait as a new member of the Eurofighter family.
“The confirmation of this order is further testament of the growing interest in the Eurofighter Typhoon in the Gulf Region. It will enable Kuwait to benefit from the critical mass being developed in the Gulf and the many advantages that it brings to an Air Force in terms of interoperability, training and in-service support.”
Since entry into service of the first Eurofighter Typhoon at the end of 2003, more than 470 aircraft have been delivered to six nations: Germany, the United Kingdom, Italy, Spain, Austria and Saudi Arabia. The Kuwait order follows an order by Oman in December 2012 for twelve aircraft. Eurofighter Typhoon is currently in service at 22 operational units and up to now, the whole fleet has completed more than 330,000 flying hours worldwide.
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