Spain orders 20 Eurofighter jets under landmark contract to modernise its combat aircraft fleet

Eurofighter Halcón PhotoⒸ Airbus SAU 2022 Juanjo Sanz - Mango Producciones

The NATO Eurofighter and Tornado Management Agency (NETMA) has signed a landmark contract for the acquisition of 20 latest generation Eurofighter jets. Known as the Halcon programme, the order will cover the delivery of a fleet of E-Scan (Electronically Scanned) radar equipped fighter aircraft consisting of 16 single-seaters and 4 twin-seaters to replace the F-18 fleet operated by the Spanish Air Force on the Canary Islands.

This contract will see the Spanish Eurofighter fleet grow to 90 aircraft. With the first delivery due in 2026, these new aircraft will enhance and position the Spanish Air Force fighter fleet among its NATO allies with the most modern fighter jet developed in Europe, as well as securing industrial activity through to 2030. 

‘This additional order reinforces Spain’s commitment not only towards the Eurofighter but also to its development and industrial environment. I would like to thank the customer for its firm position with respect to European defence at a time when it is needed most,” said Mike Schoellhorn, CEO of Airbus Defence and Space.

The acquisition, valued at € 2.043 billion, was approved by Spain’s Council of Ministers on 14 December 2021 and includes the aircraft, engines, a simulator and the necessary support services.

In service with Spain since 2003, the country’s air force operates the Eurofighter from the air bases of Morón (11th Wing) and Albacete (14th Wing), securing Spain’s territory and playing a key role at the heart of NATO in different Air Policing missions in the Baltics and more recently  the Black Sea. With the arrival of these new aircraft, Spain will also equip a third base with Eurofighter jets, namely Gando on the Canary Islands, which is home to the 46th Wing.

RAF Typhoons from Romania take part in large NATO exercise in North Macedonia

Photo RAF / Crown copyright

RAF Typhoons deployed in Romania, as part of Operation BILOXI, have flown to North Macedonia to take part in Exercise Swift Response, a major NATO exercise. 

The Typhoons, from 3 (Fighter) Squadron, are currently based at Mihail Kogalniceanu Air Base in Romania as part of 140 Expeditionary Air Wing, providing enhanced Air Policing and enhanced Vigilance Activities alongside the Romanian Air Force and on behalf of NATO.

 During the exercise, the Typhoons joined over 40 other aircraft operating over the Krivolak training area in North Macedonia.  The RAF Typhoons conducted a simulated Strike Coordination and Reconnaissance sortie, together with Close Air Support training with two AH-64 Apache aircraft from Aviation Task Force 1 of the British Army.

Photo RAF / Crown copyright

"Conducting coordinated strikes between Typhoon and Apache proved to be excellent training, and helped to develop understanding on both sides of the utility of two very different aircraft, and their capabilities."

Flight Lieutenant Travers, Typhoon Pilot.

The Exercise had begun with a High-Altitude Low Opening parachute jump from a C-17 Globemaster by British Army Pathfinders.  After landing, other airborne forces then also landed to seize ground positions and then defend them.  It was during these defensive operations that the Typhoons participated in the exercise.

Photo RAF / Crown copyright

 Help for Heroes.

Help for Heroes Charity helps to rebuild the lives of those with injuries and illnesses sustained while serving in the British Armed Forces. No matter when someone served, H4H give them the support they need to lead active, independent and fulfilling lives. They provide support to the whole family to help them all cope with the challenges they face. Long-term recovery is more than repairing damaged bodies and minds; it’s about rebuilding lives.

Want me in your inbox? Follow here for email updates Air101 here.

More RAF jets to join NATO air policing mission in Romania

Two additional RAF Typhoon jets will join 

four already in Romania

Together with eight Typhoons stationed in Cyprus, this uplift will bring the total number of RAF fighter jets stationed in South-Eastern Europe to 14. The two additional jets are expected to remain in Romania until the end of July.

Defence Secretary Ben Wallace made the announcement on a visit to Mihail Kogalniceanu Airbase in Romania alongside Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Sir Mike Wigston, where they met Romanian officials and observed UK jets taking part in NATO’s Air Policing mission.

The announcement reaffirms the UK’s commitment to our bilateral defence relationship with Romania.

The Typhoon jets and Royal Air Force personnel have deployed to Romania to join the long-standing NATO Air Policing mission for the Black Sea region. Operation Biloxi is the British name for the NATO Air Policing mission.

Defence Secretary Ben Wallace MP said: "The UK and Romania are steadfast in the defence of our shared values and commitment to NATO’s collective security, in the air, at sea, and on land.

Together we are supporting Ukraine in its defence against Putin’s illegal invasion and I pay tribute to Romania’s generosity providing shelter for the tens of thousands of innocent civilians fleeing this horrific conflict."

Air policing is a purely defensive operation and a permanent NATO mission which began in 1961 during the Cold War. The mission ensures the security and integrity of all NATO Alliance members’ airspaces. Airspace is monitored by operations centres and, where it is assessed that an interception is required, NATO aircraft can be scrambled as part of a Quick Reaction Alert. The UK supports Romania by augmenting its own capabilities.

Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Sir Mike Wigston said: "Our air forces are at the vanguard of NATO’s collective security, united in our shared determination to protect our nations.

From the North of Norway to the Black Sea and Mediterranean, aircraft are airborne, alert and ready to defend against any threat to NATO territory or populations."

The Defence Secretary and Chief of the Air Staff were invited to the Op Biloxi Ceremony hosted by the Romanians at the airbase. The ceremony saw jets take part in a scramble exercise and flypast, showcasing NATO’s ability to rapidly respond to incursions to Allied airspace.

Ben Wallace and Sir Mike Wigston met with Romanian Defence Minister Vasile Dincu and Chief of the Defence Staff, General Daniel Petrescu. They discussed the defence relationship, regional security and the war in Ukraine, and further strengthening the UK-Romania bilateral relationship.

Follow this site here.

RAF to deploy Typhoon jets and personnel to Romania for NATO Air Policing mission for the Black Sea region.

The 4 deploying Typhoon jets from 3 (Fighter) Squadron are normally based at RAF Coningsby and will conduct the NATO Air Policing mission from Mihail Kogalniceanu Air Base on the Romanian Black Sea coast. The mission is supported by 150 RAF personnel based at RAF Wittering who form the Headquarters of an Expeditionary Air Wing (EAW). The personnel recently undertook training at RAF Leeming’s Operational Training Centre.

Minister for the Armed Forces James Heappey said:

"The UK remains committed to NATO and European security in the face of Russian aggression and the unprovoked invasion of Ukraine.

Operation Biloxi is a long-standing NATO mission and the Royal Air Force are playing a central role in security and deterrence in Europe."

Air policing is a purely defensive operation and a permanent NATO mission which began in 1961 during the Cold War. The mission ensures the security and integrity of all NATO Alliance member’s airspaces. Airspace is monitored by operations centres and where it is assessed that an interception is required, NATO aircraft can be scrambled as part of a Quick Reaction Alert. The UK supports Romania by augmenting its own capabilities.

The RAF deployment to Romania has been supported by personnel from No 1 Expeditionary Logistics Squadron and No 2 Mechanical Transport Squadron, part of the RAF Support Force formed in 2020. Both squadrons have prepared and transported equipment and supplies to maintain and sustain the Typhoon jets during the mission.

Air Vice-Marshal Phil Robinson, Officer Commanding 11 Group said:

"The arrival of our personnel and equipment in the region highlights the RAF’s continued commitment and contribution to the NATO Air Policing mission in Romania.

During the deployment, we will be working alongside our Romanian and other NATO partners, enabling the delivery of the mission and protecting and reassuring our allies, whilst building confidence and maintaining deterrence."

Operation Biloxi is the British name for the NATO Air Policing mission – it is the fourth time since 2017 that the RAF have conducted it. The NATO mission enhances the national air policing conducted by the Romanian Air Force and will see the RAF Typhoons mirror the Quick Reaction Alert mission that is conducted routinely in the UK.

This deployment is in addition to long-standing continuous missions undertaken by NATO Allies across the Eastern Flank.

Follow this site here.

UK's RAF Typhoons conduct Expeditionary Combat Air Operations in Middle East

RAF Typhoons based in the Eastern Mediterranean conducted Expeditionary Combat air operations from a temporary base in the Middle East as a proof of concept.

During early October, the 903 Expeditionary Air Wing Typhoon Squadron based at RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus forward deployed to a forward location in the Middle East from where it conducted an operational mission in support of Operation SHADER to further prove the Agile Combat Employment concept.

 

 Agile Combat Employment is an operational concept of being able to operate from austere air bases in order to disperse and quickly manoeuvre combat capability throughout a theatre.  Supported by a minimal presence on the ground to provide support activities such as aircraft fueling, arming, and engineering; Agile Combat Employment expands the number of bases from which air forces can generate combat sorties.

"Wing Commander Dutch Holland said: "Agile Combat Employment is about utilising our assets from RAF Akrotiri under 903 Expeditionary Air Wing to their maximum extent.  In this example, we have projected our forces, the RAF Typhoon FGR4, to a Forward Operating Base.  We have undertaken this deployment and next [time] we will go for longer and perhaps further than this one."

"Operation BLUE DRAGON successfully demonstrated the UK ability to respond dynamically, flexibly, and rapidly under the Agile Combat Employment concept whilst maintaining our commitment to our coalition partners.  This operation is the first such deployment for 903 Expeditionary Air Wing and has enabled them to test how successful the aircraft and supporting personnel were able to operate in a new location and environment.  The team have demonstrated the capability of conducting air operations at short notice at a Forward Operating Base and further demonstrates to our Coalition partners and Middle Eastern allies, the UK’s continued commitment to the region."

Air Commodore Mark Farrell

Air Officer Commanding 83 Expeditionary Air Group

More top stories you might be interested in.....

Follow this site here.

RAF Typhoons arrive in Romania to resume NATO Air Policing Mission

Photo RAF / Crown copyright

Royal Air Force Typhoon jets, based at RAF Lossiemouth, have arrived in Romania to begin the UK’s pre-planned NATO Air Policing mission.

Four Typhoons from IX(B) Squadron flew into Mihail Kogalniceanu airbase on the Black Sea coast near Constanta, Romania where they will carry out the NATO enhanced Air Policing (eAP) mission for this summer’s deployment. The mission enhances the national Air Policing conducted by the Romanian Air Force as part of the NATO collective air defence system.

Wing Commander Lamping is the Commanding Officer of 121 Expeditionary Air Wing (121 EAW); the unit that arrived in Romania ahead of the Typhoon and is responsible for operating the RAF aircraft.

Photo RAF / Crown copyright

RAF Typhoons cause sonic boom heard over parts of UK

Two Royal Air Force Typhoon fighter jets from RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire caused a sonic boom on Tuesday when they were sent to investigate and intercept a civilian aircraft that had lost communications with air traffic control.

The sound wave was heard by many people with some taking to social media to enquire what the noise was. Kendra Little said: "At first I thought something had fallen from the sky and hit the roof. Then I thought a bomb had gone off." Others thought it was a couple of gunshots whilst others believed it was a car backfiring. 

A Royal Air Force spokesperson said: "Quick Reaction Alert Typhoon aircraft were launched this afternoon from RAF Coningsby to intercept a civilian aircraft that had lost communications; subsequently, communications were re-established, the aircraft was intercepted and safely escorted to Stansted.

The Typhoon aircraft were authorised to transit at supersonic speed for operational reasons."

 

Sam Harrison's doorbell camera captured the sonic boom.  

Forces.net first broke the story on Tuesday. 

Recommended for you...

The Eurofighter is already the most successful European defence project ever - and the best is yet to come.

Eurofighter GmbH CEO,  Herman Claesen, explains how Europe’s future airpower requirements and Typhoon’s future capability journey are converging. 

Eurofighter is already the most successful European defence project ever. But anyone who believes that Eurofighter has reached its peak could not be more mistaken — the truth is, as 2020 demonstrated, the best years are yet to come.

In November Germany announced it is replacing its existing Tranche 1 aircraft under the Quadriga programme. Under the deal, announced in the Bundestag in November, Germany has committed to 38 new Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft for the Luftwaffe. The aircraft will be built to the latest standard and will include the E-Scan radar Mk1. This news is a further boost for the Eurofighter programme, following the E-Scan radar retro-embodiment contracts for the Spanish and German Luftwaffe Typhoon fleets and the continuation of the development of E-Scan version Mk2 announced in the summer.

The Royal Air Force concludes its largest exercise in a decade

The Royal Air Force concludes its largest exercise in a decade

Exercise Crimson Warrior was the largest and most complex exercise the RAF has run in recent years.

The largest military exercise to be run by the Royal Air Force in the UK for many years has finished after three weeks of complex air activities.

The Exercise, called Exercise Crimson Warrior, involved personnel and aircraft from the Royal Air Force as well as the Royal Navy, British Army, United States Marine Corps and United States Air Force. Fast jets, multi-engine aircraft, helicopters and Unmanned Air Systems operated from Stations across the country.

F-35B Lightning from 617 Squadron.

Exercise Crimson Warrior is a development of the regular Cobra Warrior exercises with the addition of missions to support the work up of F-35B Lightnings and helicopters that will form the Carrier Strike Group Air Wing during next year’s operational deployment of HMS Queen Elizabeth.

The Italian Air Force takes delivery of its most advanced Eurofighter Typhoon

Taking off from Leonardo’s plant in Caselle (Turin), the final and most advanced Eurofighter Typhoon of the Italian Air Force was handed over during a ceremony today becoming one of the defence aircraft assigned daily to the protection of the Italian skies. The ceremony was attended by the Chief of Staff of the Italian Air Force, Gen. Alberto Rosso, the CEO of Leonardo, Alessandro Profumo and the Aircraft Division Managing Director, Marco Zoff.

 

An achievement made possible thanks to industrial and technological capabilities and professional skills in Italy

The Eurofighter Typhoon protects the skies of Italy, Europe, and NATO countries every day and represents an ideal platform for the continuous introduction of new capabilities

Technologies developed for the Eurofighter programme led to a positive spillover effect on a wide range of other industrial applications: from new materials to simulation technologies in a virtual environment

“The collaboration path we are celebrating today, embodied by an aircraft with extraordinary capabilities, is the result of a long-term supranational strategic, political, and industrial vision, which has allowed Europe to have its own security asset, and benefit from a programme that has been able to represent a technological accelerator and a unique engine of development in the history of our continent”, declared Alessandro Profumo, CEO of Leonardo. “The Eurofighter Typhoon will be a pivotal element in the path of innovation which is aimed at fully safeguarding European technological sovereignty in the coming years”, he added.

Typhoon's make a welcome return to RAF Lossiemouth following runway works

Work to resurface the runways at RAF Lossiemouth has reached a major milestone with the return of aircraft to the Moray station.

The Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) awarded a £75 million contract for the airfield operating surfaces project to VolkerFitzpatrick in August 2019.

For most of the work, which started in May, aircraft continued to operate from RAF Lossiemouth. However, a short period of relocation was needed while the intersection between the station’s two runways was resurfaced. This started in August and saw the RAF’s new P-8A Maritime Patrol Aircraft being delivered to nearby Kinloss Barracks and operating from there. RAF Lossiemouth’s Typhoons also operated from Kinloss Barracks as well as Leuchars Station.

Works continued night and day, seven days a week to allow the aircraft and their crews to return to RAF Lossiemouth as soon as possible. As a Defence Critical project, work also continued despite the difficulties presented by coronavirus, with various safety measures taken to make the site COVID-19 secure.

Naval aviators from the UK's Royal Navy are grappling with 50 fighters and bombers over the North Sea........

Photo  Royal Navy

Royal Navy aviators are grappling with 50 fighters and bombers over the North Sea to practice and hone combat skills before joining HMS Queen Elizabeth for autumn exercises.

Sea to hone combat skills before joining HMS Queen Elizabeth for autumn exercises.

Eighty years since the Battle of Britain reached its climax in UK skies, British, the US and Dutch jets have ‘joined battle’ for the latest Point Blank exercise.

British, American and Dutch F-35 stealth fighters shared airspace with RAF Typhoons, US Air Force F-15 Strike Eagles, F-16s and even mighty B-52 bombers, while RAF Voyagers and American KC-135 Stratotankers kept fuel tanks topped up to allow the dogfights to continue.

Photo  Royal Navy

Counter-drone tech and state-of-the-art radar for the Royal Air Force

Royal Air Force Typhoons are to be equipped with next-generation radar thanks to a £317 million investment, Defence Minister Jeremy Quin announced on Friday.

The new Typhoon radar investment will ensure the aircraft are equipped with world-class technology. Photo Crown copyright.

This new contract is set to secure more than 600 jobs and help to ensure the UK continues to be at the forefront of advanced radar technology.

The Royal Air Force is also one step closer in bringing its ORCUS technology into force, which can jam radio signals from drones and has already been successfully deployed during drone sightings at airports.

Confirming the news at the Defence Procurement, Research, Technology & Exportability (DPRTE) 2020 event, the Defence Minister Jeremy Quin, said:  "It is vital that our Armed Forces are equipped with the latest technology to counter emerging threats from our adversaries.

Today we announce the investment in the latest in radar technology for our fighter jets and pioneering new defence systems to counter threats from drones. This demonstrates our commitment to maintaining security in the air whilst supporting highly-skilled jobs across the UK."

Unique Anglo German Air Exercise in Lithuania has ended

Unique Anglo German Air Exercise in Lithuania has ended

A unique exercise that has seen a German Eurofighter detachment join the Royal Air Force detachment currently deployed in Lithuania as part of the NATO Baltic Air Policing Mission, has ended.

The exercise was a first, as this is the first time a German Eurofighter detachment has been embedded within an operational RAF Expeditionary Air Wing to allow a sustained period of interoperability training to be carried out.  Both Air Forces regularly carry out NATO Air Policing missions and also train together on a regular basis, but this is the first time that the training has been conducted in an operational setting.

President of Lithuania visits RAF personnel deployed in Lithuania

Photo RAF

The President of Lithuania has visited 135 Expeditionary Air Wing, currently serving at Siauliai Air Base conducting the NATO Air Policing Mission, to thank them for their activities.

President Nauseda was accompanied by Raimundas Karoblis, the Minister of National Defence, and Major General Gintautas Zenkeviius, Chief of Defence Staff.

Photo RAF

The President and his party were first greeted by the base commander, Lieutenant Colonel Antanas  Matutis of the Lithuanian Air Force, before being briefed on the NATO Air Operations by Lt Col Jesus Gutierrez Gallego, commanding the Spanish Air Force Detachment and Wing Commander Stu Gwinnutt, the RAF Detachment Commander.

Wg Cdr Gwinnutt also briefed the President on the ongoing British German interoperability exercise that is being currently conducted at Šiauliai, ahead of the German deployment to Estonia later this year.

Wg Cdr Gwinnutt said: “It is a great honour to host the President today and very humbling that he has taken so much time to visit our operation here.  He has been genuinely interested in our role, the aircraft and the morale of the personnel of 135 Expeditionary Air Wing.  He asked how they were keeping in touch with family back home.”

RAF Typhoons scrambled after bomb threat note found on Ryanair flight

Photo RAF /Crown copyright

Two RAF Typhoon jets from RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire had to be scrambled on Monday to intercept and escort a Ryanair 737 after a note was found in one of the aircraft's toilets claiming there was a bomb on board.

The major security incident occurred around 18.40 on Monday evening when the flight from Krakow to Dublin was forced to divert to London Stansted Airport because of the note warning of explosives on the jet.

A spokesperson for Essex Police confirmed the incident and said "Following investigations on the plane, we have been able to establish there is nothing suspicious on board. The aircraft has been handed back to Stansted Airport and the operator. 

"Two men – aged 47 and 26 – have been arrested on suspicion of making threats to endanger an aircraft and are currently in custody."

Ryanair advised that a note was found in one of the aircraft's toilets claiming that there were explosives on the plane and said its crew followed normal procedures. 

Recommended for you...

RAF Typhoons Monitor Russian Aircraft with VIP Voyager

Typhoon fighter aircraft from RAF Lossiemouth have today been scrambled to monitor Russian long-range aircraft flying in international airspace north of Scotland.

Photo RAF / Crown copyright

On this occasion, the Russian aircraft, however, turned away as they approached the UK Flight Information Region (FIR), north of the Scottish coast and as such no interception was needed.

To support the Typhoons, a Voyager aircraft from RAF Brize Norton was also launched to conduct Air to Air Refuelling.  This is standard procedure and allows the Typhoons to extend their time in the air.

The Minister for Armed Forces James Heappey MP said:  “Once again our RAF personnel have demonstrated their exceptional abilities to protect our skies, responding to provocation without hesitation.  The dangerous flying of Russian aircraft towards our air space is a clear reminder of the threats that we face as a nation on a daily basis.”

Royal Air Force Typhoons Join Key German Airforce Exercise

Typhoons fighters from RAF Coningsby have taken part in a major German Air Force exercise over the southern North Sea, over the last week.

Royal Air Force Typhoons

In a sign of the growing relationship between two key European NATO Allies, the Typhoons, from XI (Fighter) Squadron, together with an RAF Voyager from RAF Brize Norton have this week joined German Typhoons and Tornados plus aircraft from several other NATO Allies and partner nations on Exercise MAGDay.

The Officer Commanding XI (F) Squadron said:“Exercise MAGDay provides, XI (F) Squadron with the opportunity to demonstrate our ability to project UK Air Power and fight in a complex environment, shoulder-to-shoulder with our closest allies.”

Typhoons Take Off as part of a UK-Qatari joint squadron

Photo RAF

The UK's Royal Air Force and Qatar Emiri Air Force (QEAF) Typhoon Squadron, known as No.12 Squadron, have marked an important milestone as they commenced flying as a Joint Squadron.

Based at RAF Coningsby, No.12 Squadron is a unique initiative between the UK and Qatar and will provide the QEAF with valuable experience operating the Typhoon as they prepare to receive their first aircraft. With deliveries commencing in 2022, the aircraft are part of a £5.1 billion deal between BAE Systems and the Government of Qatar.

The flags of both nations were raised at RAF Coningsby this week as Typhoons with new Squadron markings flew for the first time, signalling the Squadron’s readiness to train pilots and ground crew from both air forces.

UK Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said: “No.12 Squadron is a testament to our enduring friendship and commitment to Qatar, the only nation with which the UK has a Joint Squadron. Together we are protecting populations and securing our mutual interests across the Middle East.”

RAF Typhoons join NATO Maritime Exercise in the Baltic Region

Photo  RAF

RAF Typhoons join NATO Maritime Exercise in the Baltic Region

RAF Typhoons currently deployed in Lithuania have been taking part in the largest annual NATO maritime exercise in the Baltic region, Exercise BALTOPs 2020.

The Typhoons from 6 Squadron RAF are normally based at RAF Lossiemouth but are currently deployed to Šiauliai in Lithuania, as part of the NATO Baltic Air Policing mission.  In addition to this mission the fighters also join NATO exercises in the region to provide a land based fast jet contribution and to practice and maintain each pilot’s operational skills.

One of the pilots involved said: “It was a pleasure to be able to participate in BALTOPs 2020.  Working with aircraft and naval units from a variety of NATO members made for an interesting and valuable training opportunity.  Interaction in both the planning and airborne stages of the exercise enhanced our appreciation of how fellow NATO members work and led to an ultimately successful exercise sortie.”