EUROJET Turbo GmbH, the consortium responsible for the EJ200 engine used in the Eurofighter Typhoon, has signed a new contract with the NATO Eurofighter & Tornado Management Agency (NETMA). This agreement, finalized in Rome, will see EUROJET deliver up to 54 new EJ200 engines to the Italian Air Force as part of the Eurofighter Tranche I replacement. This contract follows a recent contract with Spain for the Halcón II program, showcasing a renewed interest in the Eurofighter program.
The contract was signed by Air Vice Marshal (AVM) Simon Ellard (ret.), General Manager of NETMA, and Ralf Breiling, CEO of EUROJET. As with all EJ200 engines, production of the engine modules will be carried out by EUROJET’s four partner companies – Rolls-Royce, MTU Aero Engines, ITP Aero, and Avio Aero. Avio Aero, the Italian partner, will handle final engine assembly.
Ralf Breiling, CEO of EUROJET, expressed his excitement about the signing, stating, “This agreement, coming so soon after the Spanish Halcon II acquisition, underscores the strong, ongoing trust from the Nations in the EJ200 engine and the Eurofighter platform and strengthens our European defence cooperation. The EJ200 is a proven, world-class engine that significantly enhances the capabilities of the Eurofighter Typhoon’s performance, range and overall operational efficiency. The Italian order further cements the vital partnership between government and industry, ensuring continued technological leadership in defence for the Italian nation.”
AVM Simon Ellard (ret.), NETMA’s General Manager, also commented on the new order, saying, “The new order for Italy is yet another fantastic achievement for the Eurofighter Programme. The order, which follows the recent signature of the Halcon II contract, marks a new era for the Programme and demonstrates how important the Eurofighter Typhoon is for the collective security of Europe. The EJ200 engine continues to deliver superior performance for the Eurofighter, ensuring the aircraft has the power it needs to secure the skies over Italy and NATO’s eastern flank.”
EUROJET is responsible for managing the EJ200 engine program, with shareholders including Rolls-Royce (UK), MTU Aero Engines (Germany), ITP Aero (Spain), and Avio Aero (Italy). The EJ200 engine has a proven track record of exceptional performance and innovation, making it a valuable asset for the Eurofighter Typhoon. Since its first delivery in 2003, over 1400 EJ200 engines have been delivered to nine Air Force customers, accumulating over 1.8 million engine flying hours.
High-resolution images of the EJ200 can be downloaded from http://www.eurojet.de/media. For more information, please contact Rose Artuso, PR and Communications for EUROJET Turbo GmbH.