The third and fourth Eurofighter Typhoons for the Kuwait Air Force landed in the country last week. The delivery of the fighter jets is part of the framework of a wider order for a total of 28 aircraft that will be made available to the Kuwait Air Force over a phased delivery period by Leonardo, the Italian multinational company specializing in aerospace, defense and security.
The ferry flight for the new Eurofighters from Italy to Kuwait was made possible thanks to the Italian Air Force’s essential support, which guaranteed the ‘Air to Air Refueling trail’. This was achieved through a complex operational activity involving one KC-767A tanker from Italian Air Force’s 14th Wing, Pratica di Mare.
Vice President of Leonardo’s Eurofighter Program, Guido Sibona, speaking on the landing of the new consignment of fighter jets said: “I was very proud last month seeing Eurofighters fly over Kuwait City during the National Day celebration. I am equally proud today to see the fleet of the Kuwait Air Force increased as planned.
“The Eurofighter Typhoons we have developed and produced for the Kuwait Air Force are the most advanced in the whole of the European program. In cooperation with the Italian Air Force we are providing Kuwait with an impressive air defense capability and we built state-of-the-art infrastructures to support and maintain the full fleet of 28 Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft.”
The Eurofighter Kuwait Program is part of a wider and deeper collaboration between the Italian Air Force and the Kuwait Air Force, spanning operations, pilot training and support. The Italian Air Force is also ensuring, in Italy, the initial training of the engineers and technicians who will support the Typhoon fleet activity in Kuwait.
Leonardo also plays a key role in the evolution of the Eurofighter, thanks to the new AESA (Active Electronically Scanned Array) radar that is equipped on the Eurofighter Typhoons for Kuwait. This advanced radar increases the aircraft’s performance and competitiveness. In addition, the Eurofighter aircraft benefits from a well-defined program of technological updating and improvement that guarantees its competitiveness throughout its entire lifecycle.
Constantly evolving technologies, both on board the aircraft and in the context of logistical support, increases the operational effectiveness, survivability, and efficient management of these aircraft. The Eurofighter program is a cornerstone in the development of European aerospace and defense technologies and provides the industries involved with technological leadership that will guarantee competitiveness for many next generation programs.
