Italy takes delivery of final and 'most advanced' Eurofighter Typhoon

Leonardo has handed over what it describes as the 'most advanced' Eurofighter Typhoon to the Italian Air Force, during a ceremony on 23 October, held at the manufacturer's Caselle, Turin, facility. 

The aircraft delivery also completes a fleet order of 21 units for Rome and will be flown from the Italian Air Force’s 51st Wing Istrana air base.

It has been reserved for domestic security missions.

'The aircraft has proven to be a reliable, flexible, and versatile asset, and is ready to face new technological challenges to continue to guarantee the highest level of safety across the Italian skies and protection of national interest,' Gen. Alberto Rosso, Italian Air Force Chief of Staff said in a statement.

'This is thanks to a wide range of operational capabilities which complement air defence duties such as Intelligence Surveillance Reconnaissance (ISR) and attack (swing role). 

'Today’s aircraft capabilities are the result of a long-term close and effective cooperation between the national defence industry and the Italian Air Force; a synergy that, further supports and empowers the country system, and allows us effectively to carry out our daily mission, the protection of people.'

Leonardo's Caselle facility is also producing the newest Typhoon variant for Kuwait as the Eurofighter consortium builds on export business which includes Saudi Arabia, Austria, Oman and Qatar. 

Across the full Eurofighter programme the manufacturer is primarily responsible for producing specialist aeronautical components, on-board electronics including radar and IRST sensors and avionic technologies.

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