• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • COMTECH banner

BATTLESPACE Updates

   +44 (0)77689 54766
   

  • Home
  • Features
  • News Updates
  • Defence Engage
  • Company Directory
  • About
  • Subscribe
  • Contact
  • Media Pack 2024

EUROFIGHTER TYPHOON TRANCHE 3 IN DOUBT

October 10, 2003 by

03 10 03. Following on from our story last week ‘TYPHOON FLIES INTO TURBULENCE’ (BATTLESPACE UPDATE Vol. 5 ISSUE NO 38, SEPTEMBER 26TH 2003), the FT reported that the Italian partner in the Eurofighter consortium has admitted that more than a third of the jet fighter programme is under threat as European governments reassess spending priorities in overstretched defence budgets.

Finmeccanica acknowledged there were real concerns over whether the last 236 jets, known as tranche three, of the planned 620 aircraft would be built for the four nations – Germany, Italy, the UK and Spain – that initiated the programme. The project employs 120,000 people across Europe.

Alessandro Pansa, chief financial officer of Finmeccanica, told the Financial Times: “Tranche three of Eurofighter is something that is doubtful.” He added: “I hope it does take place but I cannot say today that I am sure about that.”Analysts said Mr Pansa had been more damning about the prospects for tranche three in a recent meeting in London. Finmeccanica is the parent of Alenia Spazio, which has a 21 per cent share of the Eurofighter project, alongside BAE Systems (33 per cent) and European Aeronautic Defence and Space company (46 per cent).

Mr Pansa’s comments reflect a growing belief across Europe that Eurofighter will suffer big cuts as governments struggle to juggle limited defence budgets and divert funds towards more modern technologies. Critics of the Eurofighter, conceived in the mid-1980s, claim it is an outdated concept. Military strategy is now shifting towards fighting small-scale wars against so-called rogue states or tackling terrorists. But supporters of the aircraft say it will be able to perform bombing operations as effectively as it will shoot down enemy aircraft.

The case for the Eurofighter, however, is partly being undermined by the joint US development of a next-generation ground attack aircraft, known as the F-35 or Joint Strike Fighter. The F-35 is scheduled to enter service late this decade – around the same time tranche three of Eurofighter is due. The UK and Italy are heavily involved in the F-35 development programme.

Primary Sidebar

Advertisers

  • qioptiq.com
  • Exensor
  • TCI
  • Visit the Oxley website
  • Visit the Viasat website
  • Blighter
  • SPECTRA
  • Britbots logo
  • Faun Trackway
  • Systematic
  • CISION logo
  • ProTEK logo
  • businesswire logo
  • ProTEK logo
  • ssafa logo
  • AtkinsRealis logo
  • IEE
  • EXFOR logo
  • sibylline logo
  • Team Thunder logo
  • Commando Spirit - Blended Scoth Whisy
  • Comtech logo
  • GoExporting logo
  • ECHODYNE logo
  • Supercat logo
  • Galvion logo
  • Leonardo DRS logo
  • MTC logo
  • IDC logo
  • IDC logo
  • DVD2024 logo
  • SDSC logo
Hilux Military Raceday Novemeber 2023 Chepstow IAV 2024

Contact Us

BATTLESPACE Publications
Old Charlock
Abthorpe Road
Silverstone
Towcester NN12 8TW

+44 (0)77689 54766

BATTLESPACE Technologies

An international defence electronics news service providing our readers with up to date developments in the defence electronics industry.

Recent News

  • PARLIAMENTARY QUESTIONS

    November 24, 2023
    Read more
  • EXHIBITIONS AND CONFERENCES

    November 24, 2023
    Read more
  • VETERANS UPDATE

    November 24, 2023
    Read more

Copyright BATTLESPACE Publications © 2002–2023.

This website uses cookies to improve your experience. If you continue to use the website, we'll assume you're ok with this.   Read More  Accept
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Non-necessary
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
SAVE & ACCEPT