Eurofighter Typhoon - discussione ufficiale

[David79]

Questo sito lo avete già linkato?

http://www.eurofighter.aero/eurofighter/switzerland/it/eurofighter.html

[Andrea75]

Stavo postando nella discussione NATO la Nuclear Posture Review qui, quando leggendo questo documento (a pagina 5), nel paragrafo che parla della compatibilità degli aerei NATO con la B61-12, ho notato questo

 

A German decision to add B61-12 capability to the Eurofighter would require much more extensive integration, qualify-cation and certification and be more expen-sive and time consuming.

[Simone]

A mio parere, purtroppo non qualificato, potrebbe non essere indispensabile integrare complessi armamenti aria-suolo all'EFA per renderlo realmente utilizzabile come multiruolo, in quanto già oggi le bombe a guida laser-teoricamente autonome- sono concretamente utilizzabili per molte evenienze, compreso il CAS (sia pure non in tutti i casi). Non dovrebbe essere così difficile integrare nell'EFA italiano le Paveway, programmate a terra e che, in sostanza, necessitano soltanto di un aereo che le porti ad una quota sufficientemente alta per raggiungere l'obiettivo

[Andrea75]

Ho approfondito la lettura del documento e la motiviazione che ha portato a questa scelta (se ho ben compreso) è la seguente:

Come gestire le B61-12 dopo il pensionamento dei PA-200 Tornado?

 

Italia, Olanda e Turchia hanno programmato l'acquisto degli F35, che hanno la capacità di portare anche questo tipo di armamento

 

La Turchia, il Belgio e l'Olanda hanno gli F-16s, per cui è previsto un upgrade apposito

 

La Germania invece ha optato per l'upgrade sull'Eurofighter

 

 

Al momento non ho trovato altri documenti per approfondire l'argomento.

[madmike]

si, dall'articolo si evince quello che dice Andrea, fermo restando che pare che nessuno abbia tutta questa fretta, considerando i chiari di luna economici e la 'minaccia' potenziale che richieda lanci atomici da aerei tedeschi.

 

Potrebbe anche essere un modo elegante per addivenire a 'eliminare' lo sharing nucleare in Germania, per mancanza di vettori dedicati.

[Simone]

Resta il problema dell'autonomia, l' EFA -essendo relativamente "piccolo"- ha un raggio d'azione giocoforza limitato e ,considerando che nel caso in cui dovessero rendersi necessarie le B61 le circostanze renderebbero arduo se non impossibile far decollare aerocisterne, pochi potenziali obiettivi sarebbero raggiungibili

[Andrea75]

20th Eurofighter Typhoon Squadron established at Trapani Air Force Base

 

The 18th Gruppo based at Trapani Air Force Base (AFB) in Sicily, became the 20th Squadron operating Eurofighter Typhoon. Trapani was an Italian Main Air Base with two Air Defence Squadrons in previous years.

 

The Squadron recently acquired aircrews and aircraft from 4th and 36th Wings to support the Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) effort in Grosseto and Gioia del Colle. Recent Unified Protector operations showed the strategic importance of Sicily and Trapani as a valuable logistical and operational hub.

Trapani AFB also hosts the 82nd CSAR Squadron with the HH-3F helicopter and serves as a NATO Early Warning Forward Operating Base.

 

Enzo Casolini, CEO of Eurofighter, congratulated the 18th Gruppo and said: “We are very pleased that the Italian Air Force has achieved this milestone of 20th Eurofighter Squadron. Italy plays an important role in this international partnership with 24,000 employees working in Italy on this successful European combat aircraft which significantly contributes to the defence and security of this country.”

[Andrea75]

Austria May Try To Cancel EADS Eurofighter Deal

 

Austria may try to cancel its $2 billion contract to buy 15 Eurofighter jets from European aerospace group EADS or seek damages if it finds bribes were paid as part of the deal.

 

“It depends on the results of the Justice Ministry’s investigations. It is a possibility and we should then examine it,” Defence Minister Norbert Darabos told Austrian ORF radio.

 

Authorities said last week they had raided EADS sites in Austria, Germany and Switzerland as part of investigations into suspected bribery, money-laundering and fraud in connection with the 2003 deal.

 

Austria’s economy minister said in an interview published on Thursday that he was convinced the deal had not been clean, and EADS, a Franco-German venture, said it was launching an external review of its anti-corruption rules.

 

Austria specified at the time of the tender that the supplier would have to guarantee counter-deals that would pour twice the value of the jet contract into the local economy through suppliers, related services or education projects.

 

Sweden’s Saab and U.S. weapons maker Lockheed Martin were the other bidders.

 

Allegations soon surfaced that many of the counter-deals promised by EADS had no substance and money was flowing instead into the pockets of politicians, civil servants and private companies.

 

Questions were asked in parliament about the matter as long ago as 2006, and last year prosecutors began investigations.

[TT-1 Pinto]

Tangenti EADS .... secondo la magistratura tedesca ....

 

German Prosecutors Think EADS Paid Bribes In Austria Deal ....

 

German prosecutors believe European aerospace group EADS paid at least 50 million euros ($63.5 million) in bribes to Austrian officials to secure a $2 billion deal for Eurofighter jets, according to a document seen by Reuters.

 

Authorities in Germany, Austria and Switzerland raided EADS sites earlier this month in connection with investigations into suspected bribery, money-laundering and fraud related to the 2003 deal for 15 jets.

 

Fonte .... http://www.aviationweek.com/Article.aspx?id=/article-xml/awx_11_19_2012_p0-518859.xml

[Andrea75]

Britain Offers Malaysia RM10bil Arms Package ... e

 

The British government has offered Malaysia an arms package which can be worth more than RM10 billion if all options are exercised.

The proposed package includes new Hawk jet trainers, advanced frigates, howitzers and future soldier systems for the army, industry sources told theSun.

Separately, the British government is also backing the offer by BAE Systems to sell 18 Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jets for the Royal Malaysian Air Force's multi-role combat aircraft (MRCA) requirement.

The sources said they do not expect any deal to be signed soon as the offer needs to be studied in detail.

In 1988, the British government under the then prime minister Margaret Thatcher presented a similar package to Malaysia, resulting in the procurement of Hawk trainers and frigates worth some RM4.9 billion in 1992.

According to sources, the current offer has been made as Britain seeks to boost its defence exports amid severe cutbacks in military spending by the United States and Europe.

Furthermore, without a government-to-government deal, British companies are facing difficulties when promoting their arms to Malaysia, the sources said.

For example, due to a company-mandated anti-bribery policy, BAE Systems is not working with any local agent to market the Typhoon.

"They faced a severe handicap as their competitors, such as the French Rafale and Swedish Gripen, are being promoted by their local agents. BAE Systems has to rely on its own company officials," one source told theSun.

The source said it is therefore imperative for the British government to step in to back the Typhoon deal although separate from the arms package.

BAE Systems, one of the world's biggest defence companies, also manufactured the Hawk trainers, howitzers and frigates.

"If the Malaysian government accepts the arms package, BAE Systems will be the main beneficiary of the deal," the source added.

On Oct 29, BAE Systems chief executive Ian King and a delegation were in Malaysia to discuss the company's bid for the MRCA programme. The highlight of the visit was a meeting with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak in Putrajaya.

Apart from Najib, King and the delegation also met Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein, Defence Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed.

Industry sources told theSun King was told the government would use the normal procurement process. King's visit came a month after theSun reported on Sept 24 that Swedish defence and aerospace company, SAAB, had offered a lease-buy option for its Gripen fighter jet for the MRCA programme.

[Andrea75]

Improved capability for Typhoon fleet

 

Under the programme known as Retrofit 2, 43 Royal Air Force Typhoon aircraft have been upgraded to the Tranche 1 Block 5 standard.

This includes installation of the forward looking infra-red (FLIR) system, enhancement of air-to-air capability, the introduction of an air-to-surface capability and the ability to use the laser designator pod for precision weapon delivery.

Martin Taylor, BAE Systems’ Combat Air Support Director said: “This upgrade programme gives the Royal Air Force Typhoon fleet an improved baseline capability, making it better than it has ever been before. This improved capability will also allow the Royal Air Force greater scope for how they manage the Typhoon fleet.”

Air Commodore Keith Bethell, Head of the Fast Air Support Team, Defence Equipment and Support said: “The Retrofit 2 programme was one of the first steps on our ongoing journey to deliver Typhoon availability and capability through a partnered approach with BAE Systems. This early step helped lead us onto the highly successful Typhoon Availability Service into which Retrofit 2 was then subsumed. The conclusion of the Retrofit 2 programme is a significant milestone on the Typhoon journey and one we will build from as we continue to grow the Typhoon Force.”

Over the last six years, a mixture of twin and single seat aircraft have been processed through the programme which has been managed by a team of around 160 employees working in close co-operation with the Royal Air Force/Ministry of Defence fleet management team.

Under the programme, the last aircraft to be handed back to the Royal Air Force is British single seat Typhoon number BS23 (tail number ZJ932). The aircraft originally entered service with 3 Squadron on 10th November 2006, delivering Quick Reaction Alert duties from RAF Coningsby. The aircraft will return to service with XI Squadron to provide a major contribution to the deployable Typhoon Force.

In the early days of the contract it was recognised that synergies could be gained by contracting BAE Systems to also perform primary servicing on the aircraft at the same time as the upgrade programme was being undertaken. This combination of work minimised downtime of the aircraft from the Typhoon fleet and offered significant savings to the customer.

Previously under standalone national contracts, the activity was subsequently subsumed into the wider Typhoon Availability Service (TAS) contract.

All future upgrade and maintenance programmes will be carried out at the RAF Coningsby Typhoon Maintenance Facility.

[Andrea75]

BAE SYSTEMS DELIVERS FIRST TYPHOON ‘MAJOR’ MAINTENANCE

 

Lincolnshire, UK – BAE Systems has completed the first ever ‘major’ maintenance on a Royal Air Force (RAF) Typhoon aircraft, after the aircraft had clocked up 1600 flying hours.A ‘major’ maintenance programme is carried out as part of the Typhoon Availability Service (TAS). The TAS contract, awarded by the UK MOD to BAE Systems in 2009, consists of a joint BAE Systems and RAF team and ensures the UK’s fleet of Typhoon aircraft remain ready for operational duties, anywhere in the world.

The maintenance programme itself involves a complete ‘strip-down’ of the aircraft to enable detailed inspections to be performed by the specially trained engineers. Any repairs and modifications are also performed on the aircraft at this time before the aircraft is prepared ready to return to duty.

The first aircraft to complete the programme was ZJ921, it has now been returned to 3 Squadron, based at RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire. ZJ921 was also one of the aircraft to fly out to Gioia Dell Colle in Italy, to support Op Ellamy over Libya.

Martin Taylor, Combat Air Support Director at BAE Systems said: “The completion of the first RAF Typhoon aircraft to undergo a major maintenance is a significant milestone for us under the TAS contract.

“The team is continually improving processes and procedures, as part of the contract deliverables, to ensure this complex frontline fighter aircraft is available for operational duty and that the RAF’s flying timetable remains on schedule. This achievement is a good example of how this hard work is delivering results.”

Group Captain Simon Ellard, of the Fast Air Support Team, Defence Equipment & Support (DE&S) said: “TAS takes yet another step forward with the delivery of the first aircraft to have completed a major maintenance. A great deal of joint RAF/DE&S and BAE Systems planning and preparation went into this and I know that the timely roll-out is the result of considerable effort and a strong culture of constantly improving effectiveness and efficiency.”

The first set of maintenance work known as a ‘primary maintenance’ is undertaken once the aircraft has flown 400 hours, followed by a ‘minor maintenance’ which is carried out at 800 flying hours. ‘Once the aircraft reaches the 1600 flying hour threshold the ‘Major’ maintenance is then carried out.

The Typhoon Maintenance Facility at RAF Coningsby currently has a further 3 aircraft in the facility undergoing major maintenance.

Editors Notes

 

- The Typhoon Availability Service (TAS) is a partnering arrangement with the UK MOD to deliver a support solution for Typhoon.

- Through the contract BAE Systems ensures the support contract provides enough aircraft on a daily basis to meet the needs of the front line.

- TAS involves BAE Systems, the MOD and RAF personnel working side by side in the following areas:

- Typhoon aircrew and ground crew training

- Delivery of depth maintenance and servicing of the aircraft

- Providing technical support.

- Manage spares, repairs and logistics to maximise availability and minimise costs.

[Andrea75]

FIRST EUROFIGHTER TYPHOON METEOR FIRING TRIAL A SUCCESS

 

The Meteor Beyond Visual Range Air-to-Air Missile has been successfully launched from a Eurofighter Typhoon as part of the Future Enhancements Flight Test Programme.

The missile was eject launched from a rear fuselage missile station, which on Eurofighter Typhoon is semi-conformal for aircraft drag and radar signature reduction. The missile motor was fired, providing data that will allow the missile launch envelope to be expanded.

This builds on an earlier series of flight trials, carried out by partner company BAE Systems on behalf of the Eurofighter programme, where unpowered missiles were used to demonstrate safe separation on the missile.

This current package of work begins the full integration of the Meteor missile with all Eurofighter Typhoon systems.

The flight trials were conducted with integrated support from QinetiQ and MBDA at a firing range in Aberporth, Wales, UK on the 4th December.

After taking part in the Meteor trials, BAE Systems Typhoon Test Pilot Steve Long said: “By completing these initial Meteor flight trials, Typhoon has taken a significant leap forward in operational capability. As a fighter pilot, you ultimately want the best possible combination of aircraft and advanced weapons to ensure mission success and to get you home safely. The range and performance of the Meteor weapon goes a long way to achieving this - with confidence. A potent long range missile, coupled with a highly agile aircraft gives us a very potent and very powerful mix.”

Meteor, a beyond visual range air-to-air missile manufactured by MBDA will provide the Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft with the next generation of cutting edge weapons capability. Featuring advanced air breathing motor technology for maximum range and the latest electronics to deliver optimum combat performance, it will ensure that Eurofighter Typhoon remains the world’s most advanced multi role aircraft and will further complement its short and medium range air-to-air missile capabilities.

The integration of the Meteor weapon is a game-changer on the battlefield; adding another layer to Eurofighter Typhoon’s swing-role capabilities and ensuring the pilot is able to engage hostile air threats at long range at the same time as identifying and engaging targets on the ground.

[Andrea75]

Europe odds-on to supply new UAE fighters

 

The end of this year could well be marked by the sale of a European fighter to a Gulf Cooperation Council state: Oman. A long-awaited deal may well be concluded for Muscat to buy 12 Eurofighter Typhoons to complement its existing fleet of US-built F-16s. With US and European defence budgets under pressure for the foreseeable future, combat aircraft manufacturers are pursuing any export opportunity with increasing vigour. And there remains the tantalising possibility for the four Eurofighter nations – Italy, Germany, Spain and the UK – of a larger order in the United Arab Emirates.

 

Of course, neither the sale to Oman or the UAE is guaranteed. Just over 12 months ago there was widespread anticipation that the UAE was on the brink of an order for the Dassault Rafale, perhaps for up to 60 aircraft. However, that deal unravelled at the last moment, when the UAE took the highly unusual step of publicly criticising the French aerospace company for offering an ‘uncompetitive and unworkable’ bid.

 

Despite warm relations with the UAE royal family, then-French President Nicolas Sarkozy was unable to bridge the gap. President Francois Hollande, who succeeded Sarkozy in May 2012, is not thought to have yet forged a similarly close relationship with the UAE, and it is hard to tell what the effect will be on the company’s fortunes in the Emirates when Dassault’s robust chief executive, Charles Edelstenne, retires in January 2013.

 

While the Rafale remains a clear contender for the UAE, its 2011 rejection has given rivals renewed opportunities to approach the UAE Defence Ministry.

 

UK Prime Minister David Cameron has visited the UAE twice since 2010, reportedly faring much better than his Labour predecessor, Gordon Brown, did on a trip in late 2008. Closer defence ties between the UK and UAE were discussed during Cameron’s most recent visit in November 2012, when a ‘defence industrial partnership’ was signed that focused on the Typhoon and other unspecified ‘new technologies’. But while the language was encouraging on the Eurofighter, it was far from a commitment to procure the aircraft.

 

The UAE air force currently operates a mix of 70-plus F-16 E/F Block 60 and 67 French Mirage 2000-9 combat aircraft. It is believed that whichever aircraft is selected will at least notionally replace the Mirage, although the two could operate side by side depending on the size of the overall fleet the UAE plans.

 

The US remains the UAE’s main defence partner, and American combat aircraft manufacturers also continue to pursue opportunities in the Emirates. Upgrades to UAE F-16s are in the offing (with an additional attrition and top-up buy of airframes an option) and manufacturer Lockheed Martin also has ambitions to offer the F-35 in the medium term. Boeing, meanwhile, has offered the F-15 and the F/A-18E/F.

 

However, it is normal for combat-aircraft purchases nowadays to include weapons acquisition and/or integration, and this may pose problems for any US bid to succeed the UAE’s Mirages.

 

The UAE first used its Black Shaheen cruise missile, a variant of the MBDA SCALP/Storm Shadow, in operations during the Libyan air campaign. The missile was launched from a Mirage 2000. Washington opposed the original sale of the weapon to the UAE in 1998, arguing that it breached the Missile Technology Control Regime, but France and the UK adopted a more liberal interpretation.

 

In the UAE, Black Shaheen has, as far as can be ascertained, only been integrated on Mirage aircraft. Given US concern over the original sale, it seems a reasonable assumption that its integration on the F-16 Block 60, or another US fighter type, would remain problematic.

 

The US has yet to approve the sale of the ATK AGM-88E Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missile (AARGM), which the UAE is interested in fitting to its F-16s. The AARGM is designed primarily to engage and destroy air-defence radars, but can also be used against a broader range of surface targets.

 

US uncertainty over the release of some defence technologies continues. Meanwhile, the UAE has historically drawn its fighter fleet from US and European manufacturers, to avoid reliance on a single source. Taken together, these facts suggest that the Emirates’ next large fighter procurement will probably be European – assuming, of course, that the present procurement process does not suffer the same fate as last year’s ill-starred Rafale purchase.

[Andrea75]

... sempre riguardo all'affaire EADS-Eurofighter-Austria New Allegations Haunt EADS Fighter Jet Deal

 

In the corruption scandal surrounding the sale of Eurofighter jets to Austria, more and more information suggests that European defense giant EADS may have played a role in bribery aimed at securing the lucrative contract. The affair has the potential to damage the company's image and its bottom line.

But the affair took a dramatic turn last month when public prosecutors in Munich and Vienna ordered over half a dozen searches, including at EADS offices and the homes of former managers. If investigators' suspicions are confirmed, German industry will be shaken by yet another bribery scandal, with significant financial risks for the defense giant.

The corruption probe focuses on countertrade agreements worth twice the value of the defense deal -- in other words, some €3.5 billion. That's the amount of business that the EADS deal had to generate for Austrian companies in return for Vienna's approval of the Eurofighter sale. It is precisely these agreements that prompted Mitterlehner to write his letter. It turns out that a sizable proportion of the arranged offset deals could be suspect. "No stone will be left unturned," vows the economics minister.

There is speculation that kickbacks flowed in both directions. On the one hand, officials were allegedly bribed so Austria would decide to purchase the relatively expensive Eurofighter. On the other hand, companies purportedly received payoffs in exchange for declaring follow-up deals to the Economics Ministry that, in reality, never existed.

The bribe money was purportedly distributed via a complex web of shell corporations surrounding the London-based firm Vector Aerospace. This shadowy network was apparently established by Italian businessman Gianfranco Lande, who a court in Rome has sentenced in the first instance to four-and-a-half years in prison for investment fraud.

At over 200 percent of the contract value, the volume of these barter deals is extremely unusual, even for defense contracts. This quid pro quo arrangement is precisely how Austrian politicians at the time, primarily then-Chancellor Wolfgang Schüssel of the conservative Austrian People's Party (ÖVP), made the 2003 purchase appealing for voters. The compensation agreements aimed to benefit Austrian high-tech companies. At the time, the chancellor praised the deal as "the most attractive and important stimulus program that one could wish for." Some of the deals were slightly bizarre, such as a lifestyle consultant who coached EADS staff. But others were of a more dubious nature, such as possibly criminal contracts, with no recognizable economic benefits for Austria.

So far, EADS has consoled itself with the fact that the contracts signed by the Austrian government over the past few years can now no longer be contested. However, Austrian government officials point to a potentially troublesome clause in the contract. Should "subsequent grievous new circumstances" become known that "lead to serious doubts about the eligibility of countertrade agreements," the Austrians can terminate the entire deal, even today.

...

German, Austrian and Italian investigators are focusing their bribery probe on this shell corporation based on the Isle of Man, a tax haven in the Irish Sea. Incuco is believed to have received at least €12.5 million from Lande's Vector Aerospace -- possibly also for consulting services connected with the Airbus-AMAG deal.

"We have never heard of Vector Aerospace or a company called Incuco," says an AMAG company official. Incuco also denies any business connections with AMAG. It appears that Lande, who is currently jailed in Rome, used AMAG to justify payments to Incuco.

 

EADS Faces Loss of Image

The affair could potentially tarnish the image of EADS -- a consortium in which the German government is currently raising its stake as a shareholder. To make matters worse, the scandal could cost a great deal of money. If the offset deals are subsequently deemed to be phony, in the worst-case scenario, it could result in a €200-million fine for the defense contractor. Investigations into the dubious Vector Aerospace could also have expensive consequences.

In addition to corruption and the formation of a criminal organization, investigators say that money laundering may have to be added to the list of possible criminal charges. Sources at EADS say that the company is cooperating with the Austrian authorities to shed light on all aspects of the Eurofighter deal. EADS officials say that they will soon present their own detailed documentation of the countertrade agreements. They say that there are no provisions in the balance sheet for possible fines.

Meanwhile, the public prosecutor in Vienna is hoping that his investigation will soon lead to a breakthrough, allowing him to track down the organizers and recipients of the financial transfers. This, in turn, could possibly also put pressure on the Austrian People's Party (ÖVP).

Indeed, according to research by Peter Pilz, a member of the Green Party in the Austrian parliament, arms lobbyist Count Alfons Mensdorff-Pouilly received €2.2 million from EADS -- an allegation that he denies. The money was allegedly transferred via the Incuco shell corporation as part of the barter deals. "From Mensdorff-Pouilly the trail leads to the ÖVP," says Pilz.

Mensdorff-Pouilly, a member of Vienna's high society, is married to a former ÖVP minister. The entrepreneur, who bears the nickname "Count Ali," maintained close ties with the conservative politicians who were responsible for the Eurofighter decision 10 years ago.

Radasztics can simply ask Mensdorff-Pouilly about the new evidence when they next meet. After all, he sees him every week at the district court in Vienna, where the Viennese prosecutor is trying the lobbyist for allegedly laundering suspected bribes. This money purportedly came from another source: British defense contractor BAE Systems.

[Andrea75]

Source: Oman Will Soon Buy Typhoons, Hawks

 

BAE Systems is preparing to close a deal with Oman to supply Typhoon fighters and Hawk jet trainers to the country’s air force.

The deal, expected to be signed in Oman on Dec. 21, is part of a wider defense pact due to be inked by the two governments that day, said industry sources who asked not to be named.

Twelve of the Eurofighter Typhoons will be delivered to Oman to replace aging Jaguar aircraft, which make up part of Oman’s strike force.

The number of Hawk trainers involved in the deal is unknown. Oman operates five old Mk103 Hawks alongside PC-9 and Mushak training aircraft.

In a statement, BAE said it had positive discussions on Typhoon with the Omani Ministry of Defence but has not yet signed the contract.

A spokeswoman declined to answer questions about the Hawk sale.

The training package sale would be a boost for the Hawk program, coming on the heels of a 1.6-billion-pound ($2.6 billion) sale of Hawks and other training aircraft to Saudi Arabia this year. BAE is also positioning the aircraft for a key competition to re-equip the U.S. Air Force with trainers.

The two Omani deals will provide a multi-billion pound fillip for the British company following the collapse of merger talks with EADS this year.

The deal will also be a boost for British Prime Minister David Cameron, who has been active supporting defense export efforts in the region and elsewhere.

Cameron was recently in the UAE helping BAE’s campaign to sell the Typhoon. The two governments also signed a defense cooperation pact during a Cameron visit, which also took place in Saudi Arabia.

A similar arrangement might be in the cards for Oman, the source said.

The news of the upcoming Omani deal was tempered, though, when the company issued a statement Dec. 19 saying it was unable to conclude negotiations with Saudi Arabia over the pricing of 72 Typhoons.

The contract was signed in 2007, but changes to the specifications of the aircraft and abandonment of a scheme to assemble many of the aircraft in Saudi Arabia have led to lengthy negotiations over new pricing.

Twenty-four of the aircraft have been delivered to the Saudis, and more aircraft are on the assembly line after a hiatus caused by the pricing talks. BAE said in a statement that deliveries would recommence next year.

Oman will receive the latest Tranche 3 version of the Typhoon coming off assembly lines at BAE and other Eurofighter partner nations Germany, Italy and Spain.

The Omani fast jet fleet is built around the Lockheed Martin F-16. The Gulf state operates 12 of the fighters and around this time last year ordered a further dozen aircraft from the U.S. manufacturer.

Aside from Oman and Saudi Arabia, Austria is the only other Typhoon export customer. BAE and its partners are also pursuing possible orders in the UAE, Malaysia and elsewhere.

[Andrea75]

BAE-Saudi Typhoon talks ‘stuck on price’

 

Price continues to be the key hurdle in BAE Systems' bid to sell 72 Eurofighter Typhoons to Saudi Arabia, according to a negotiations update from the UK defence contractor.

The so-called Salam deal, contracted in 2007, has so far delivered 24 aircraft. BAE today said that further aircraft are being built at its facility in Warton in the UK for delivery in 2013, and that outstanding issues relate to price rather than timing. The original contract prices were based on 2005 economic conditions, but a re-pricing of the 12-year contract for aircraft, support, maintenance, upgrades and training has been under discussion for two years.

The sides are also discussing a Saudi request to have the last 24 examples adapted "for subsequent insertion of Tranche 3 capability", which could include introduction of equipment such as a developmental active electronically scanned array radar and advanced air-launched weapons.

BAE has not put a figure on the likely value of continuing work linked with the Typhoon, but said in 2012 that a wider five-year agreement related to other in-service equipment, including training and weapons, could be worth more than £7 billion ($11.3 billion).

Saudi Arabia is regarded by BAE as a "home market", and its value as a customer is increasingly important, especially in light of the failure of its bid to merge with EADS. A £1.6 billion deal signed in 2012, for example, will supply the Royal Saudi Air Force with new-generation training aircraft, including 22 BAE Hawk 165s and 55 Pilatus PC-21s.

BAE stressed today that both parties remain committed to the Salam deal, but added that should an acceptable agreement not be reached before its full year results announcement on 21 February 2013, the impact on trading guidance would be to reduce underlying earnings by approximately 3 pence per share.

[Andrea75]

Eurofighter Typhoon Welcomes Oman as a New Customer

 

The Eurofighter community welcomes Oman as a new member to join the international defence programme. Oman will become the seventh customer to operate the world’s most advanced new generation swing-role/multi-role combat aircraft.

On behalf of the Eurofighter consortium and its European Partner Companies (EPC) the CEO of Eurofighter, Enzo Casolini, said: “We are pleased to welcome Oman as the newest member of our Eurofighter family. Eurofighter Typhoon is an exceptional aircraft and is already proven and trusted by six nations to effectively perform in all operational environments. This is wonderful news and another milestone in the history of our successful programme. We are looking forward to developing a long-term partnership with the Royal Air Force of Oman.”

Since entry-into-service in 2004, more than 340 aircraft have been delivered to six nations:

the UK, Germany, Italy, Spain and export customers Austria and Saudi Arabia. There are now 20 Eurofighter Operating Units all over the world. So far the worldwide Eurofighter fleet has achieved over 160,000 flying hours.

Background information:

Eurofighter Typhoon is the world's most advanced new generation real multi-role/swing-role combat aircraft available on the market and has been ordered by six nations (Germany, Italy, Spain, United Kingdom, Austria and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia). With 719 aircraft on contract and 571 aircraft ordered, it is Europe’s largest military collaborative programme and delivers leading-edge technology, strengthening Europe’s aerospace industry in the global market. More than 100,000 jobs in 400 companies are secured by the programme.

Eurofighter Jagdflugzeug GmbH manages the programme on behalf of the Eurofighter Partner Companies: Alenia Aermacchi/Finmeccanica, BAE Systems, Cassidian in Germany and Spain, Europe’s foremost aerospace companies with a total turnover of approx. €123.2 billion (2011).

[mo-mo]

Nell'ambito del consorzio si vede come il ruolo britannico sia dominante. Dopo la vendita del Typhoon all' Arabia saudita c'è ora questa all' Oman. Non hanno avuto successo (finora) gli altri tre Stati coinvolti nell' EFA. La realtà è che, anche con prezzi politici (vedi offerta germanica alla Svizzera), non si modificano i successivi costi molto elevati (pluridecennali) di gestione, esercizio e manutenzione di questa categoria di apparecchi. Vi sono Paesi che non se li possono permettere e altri che decidono che spese simili siano fuori posto perché ritenute, attualmente, non prioritarie.

[TT-1 Pinto]

Nell'ambito del consorzio si vede come il ruolo britannico sia dominante. Dopo la vendita del Typhoon all' Arabia saudita c'è ora questa all' Oman. Non hanno avuto successo (finora) gli altri tre Stati coinvolti nell' EFA. La realtà è che, anche con prezzi politici (vedi offerta germanica alla Svizzera), non si modificano i successivi costi molto elevati (pluridecennali) di gestione, esercizio e manutenzione di questa categoria di apparecchi. Vi sono Paesi che non se li possono permettere e altri che decidono che spese simili siano fuori posto perché ritenute, attualmente, non prioritarie.

Non direi che, in questo caso, si possa parlare di "ruolo dominante" .... penserei piuttosto ad una pura e semplice questione di sfere di influenza .... in quanto, notoriamente, la Corona intrattiene ottimi rapporti con parecchi paesi del Golfo sin dai tempi del colonnello Lawrence ed è stata tradizionalmente e per decenni la loro principale fornitrice di materiali militari .... cosa che ha indubbiamente avuto il suo peso nel corso delle trattative.

Nel caso della competizione Svizzera .... quale dei quattro paesi del consorzio EFA è stato il più importante interlocutore ?

[zander]

L'interfaccia del consorzio Eurofighter verso la Svizzera è stata EADS-Deutschland.

Eurofighter è una società di diritto tedesco (Eurofighter GmbH) nata per soddisfare le richieste di NETMA, l'ente che riunisce i rappresentanti dei ministeri della difesa dei 4 paesi fondatori del programma.

Al di fuori di questo contesto, le 4 aziende del consorzio Eurofighter si sono accordate per gestire il potenziale mercato globale. In questi casi l'azienda Prime Contractor gestisce tutti gli aspetti del bando, da quello tecnico a quello commerciale, affrontando la gara come meglio crede. Eurofighter e le altre 3 aziende supportano il Prime Contractor ma agiscono in seconda linea. In caso di vittoria il Prime Contractor incamera la quota principale del contratto mentre le altre aziende si accontentano di quote inferiori.

[TT-1 Pinto]

L'interfaccia del consorzio Eurofighter verso la Svizzera è stata EADS-Deutschland.

 

 

Grazie, zander, per la precisazione ....

 

In un modo o nell'altro, comunque, era la Germania che guidava le danze con la Svizzera .... cosa che, d'altronde, pensavo ....

[David79]

Nel caso fosse andato in porto il contratto con l'india, chi sarebbe stato il prime contractor?

[Simone]

Nella discussione relativa al- forse più virtuale che reale Medium Multirole Combat A- si fa più volte cenno alle iniziative che i rappresentanti tedeschi del Consorzio avrebbero portato avanti per convincere gli Indiani a comprare gli Eurofighter, credo dinque che anche in questo caso il ruolo-guida spetti alla Germania con i buoni uffici della Gran Bretagna.

Sul costo, secondo me, che non sono esperto,purtroppo, a questo punto sarebbe meglio cercare di vendere gli aeroplani a "prezzo di costo", ovvero rinunciare ad ammortare gli investimenti fatti e tentare almeno di salvare l'occupazione ed un minimo di know-how

[mo-mo]

Non direi che, in questo caso, si possa parlare di "ruolo dominante" .... penserei piuttosto ad una pura e semplice questione di sfere di influenza .... in quanto, notoriamente, la Corona intrattiene ottimi rapporti con parecchi paesi del Golfo sin dai tempi del colonnello Lawrence ed è stata tradizionalmente e per decenni la loro principale fornitrice di materiali militari .... cosa che ha indubbiamente avuto il suo peso nel corso delle trattative.

Nel caso della competizione Svizzera .... quale dei quattro paesi del consorzio EFA è stato il più importante interlocutore ?

 

Nel caso della Svizzera l' offerta è stata fatta (in Euro) da "EADS/Cassidian", ufficialmente ente germanico (tedesco come dite voi). L' aereo poi è sempre stato considerato "tedesco" (attribuzione nei comunicati, in conferenze stampa, ecc.). Rilevante poi il ruolo della Deutsche Luftwaffe. In pratica, nella compravendita di armi fra stati, la presenza degli enti statali è normale in quanto ci sono problemi legati a permessi. Anche per quanto riguarda le compensazioni industriali si trattava di un affare elveto-tedesco: l'offerta era corredata (si dice) da compensazioni industriali per ca.10 miliardi di franchi, quasi il triplo del 100% del valore del potenziale contratto richiesto dalla Svizzera. In generale: la Germania, per evidenti motivi, non è il Paese ideale per pubblicizzare/vendere armi anche se molti prodotti d'oltre Reno hanno avuto successo (carri, cannoni, navi).