The Eurofighter in Spanish Air Force service Spring 2005

“This is the first really brand new fighter aircraft we are flying with. The F-18 had many thousand flying hours before it was introduced into the Spanish Air Force but all about the Eurofighter is new for us.” …
This was stated by a former F-18 pilot of the 113th Escuadrón of the 11th Grupo at Moron Air Base in late April 2005. He belongs to the first operational Eurofighter unit in the Spanish Air Force that now has 5 double seated Typhoons and one Singleseater of 14 planned aircraft in use to train the pilots that will move from F-18 and Mirage F-1 to the Eurofighter. Two simulators at the C.16 Eurofighter Training Centre will give additional possibilities to train the pilots in the future.

Up to 2010 the other two squadrons at Moron, 111th and 112th Escuadrón will receive each 18 Typhoons. Also the 141st and 142nd Escuadrón from the Albacete based Ala 14 will have replaced their Mirage F-1 by 2014.

The Eurofighter Typhoon is in full production now and Entry into Service was achieved with the Four Partner Air Forces in Spring 2004. 620 aircraft are ordered by Spain (87), Germany (180), Italy (121) and Great Britain (202) while Austria have signed a contract for the purchase of 18 Eurofighters. Greece has committed to 60 aircraft with the option for a further 30 and, in Singapore, Typhoon has been down-selected in their programme for the procurement of a future fighter. Additionally, the Norwegian Ministry of Defence has signed an Industrial Participation package with the Eurofighter Consortium for the future development of the aircraft. Other Export opportunities are being pursued throughout the world.

Jens Schymura -  www.hat-home.de