With the Eurofighter Typhoon, we offered the Indian Air Force the most modern combat aircraft available.

Based on the Indian Government feedback, we will now carefully analyze and evaluate this situation together with our European Partner Companies and their respective Governments.

The operation known as Daedalus 12 will see four Austrian Eurofighters deployed to protect the area in a temporary no-fly zone over Western Austria and Davos in particular. The Eurofighter will work alongside Austrian Air Force turboprop PC-7 trainers and OH-58 Kiowa helicopters protecting the skies against potential ‘slow moving aerial threats’ for the duration of the Forum.

This task, in full coordination with the Swiss authorities, demonstrates the perfect interoperability of the Alpine Air defence system and builds on the successful experience gained from previous operations including the Euro 2008 football championships in Austria and Switzerland as well as the World Economic Forum meetings in Davos in 2011.

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 559 aircraft under contract, it is Europe’s largest military collaborative programme and delivers leading-edge technology, strengthening Europe’s aerospace industry. More than 100,000 jobs in 400 companies are secured by the programme.

During the seven minute display Nat will put Eurofighter Typhoon through its paces, carrying out a carefully choreographed series of intricate high and low energy manoeuvres designed to highlight the awesome power and capability of the aircraft.

Commenting on what promises to be star attraction of the show, Nat said: “It is a great honour to open the flying display at such a prestigious event as LIMA. There are many things that make Eurofighter Typhoon special to fly. For me, the one of the biggest is showcasing the exceptional performance and the carefree handling of the aircraft at events like this. We have great excess power straight from take-off – you can see this from the slow-speed rotate and the climb straight up to 4,000 feet which ensures an exciting display. It is presenting European capability at its best and I feel proud of what we have achieved.”

Recently four UK RAF Typhoon aircraft from 6 Squadron flew from their base in Scotland to the Royal Malaysian Air Force airbase in Butterworth to take part in Exercise BERSAMA LIMA achieving unsurpassed levels of availability on operational duty.

The Typhoon has already been ordered by six nations (Germany, Italy, Spain, the United Kingdom, Austria and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia). With 559 aircraft under production contract, over 300 aircraft delivered and more than 130,000 flying hours achieved, Eurofighter Typhoon is Europe’s largest military collaborative programme and delivers leading-edge technology, strengthening Europe’s aerospace industry in the global competition.

At the event, where a Typhoon will be flying daily in the air display, Eurofighter will have a large pavilion to exhibit the latest technologies developed for the worlds most advanced multi-role combat aircraft.

The presence of the two jets at the most important air show in the region will be further proof of the excellent deployment capabilities of the Typhoon, already proven during Libyan operations when jets from the Royal Air Force and Italian Air Force redeployed to Southern Italy air bases to operate in support of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1973.

The deployment in Libya has clearly defined the key functions of the aircraft, ranging from the vital task of air superiority, with the capability to engage multiple targets at long, medium or short range using AMRAAM, IRIS-T or ASRAAM missiles, to the newly established surface attack role, striking at long range with precision weapons. In addition, Typhoon delivered close air support to ground forces including the supply of intelligence, a show of force and weapon attack.

Participation in the Libyan operations marked the combat debut of the Typhoon and the first time it has been used as a swing-role platform. Typhoon covered two vital roles over Libya that were previously discharged by two separate platforms.

The fact that the airframe is largely constructed of carbon fibre composites and light alloys to save weight meaning it consumes less fuel and can carry more weapons was never more vital than on the five hour plus missions along the Libyan coastline and after six months of operations, Dubai Air Show 2011 is a perfect showcase for the Typhoon.

At the show, Eurofighter will display a selection of the range of capabilities for the Typhoon, including:

• The Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar which thanks to the large aircraft nose, allows for an optimised array with the addition of an innovative re-positioner to broaden the field of regard to more than 200degrees, some 50% wider than traditional fixed plate AESA radar systems.
• The most advanced Helmet Mounted Symbology System (HMSS) which forms a key component of the Eurofighter Typhoon weapon system, improving tactical performance for Eurofighter pilots by providing essential flight and weapon aiming information through line of sight imagery.
• The Meteor missile - considered the "game changer" in terms of kill probability thanks to its dynamic performances, speed and range.
• The Marte anti-ship missile.
• The Thrust Vectoring Nozzle (TVN) for the Eurojet EJ200 engines.

These technological developments on the Typhoon open the door to industrial collaborations between local industries and the Eurofighters partner companies keen to develop the partnership with aerospace and high-tech companies in the growing technology and industrial base of the Gulf region.

Already in service with the Royal Saudi Air Force (RSAF), the Typhoon is considered the perfect "desert eagle". The aircraft already demonstrates its full capabilities in the arid, hot and humid climate of the Gulf region. Thanks to its exceptional thrust-to-weight ratio, the Typhoon suffers less than other fighters in the difficult environmental conditions and is able to exploit at full its payload capability and range performances.

Totally interoperable with current and future Gulf and allied air forces assets, the Typhoon is the perfect coalition fighter to offer deterrence to the Gulf States today and in the future.

The Eurofighter Typhoons – developed and manufactured by Cassidian in Germany and Spain, BAE Systems in the UK and Alenia Aeronautica in Italy - are now in service across the globe with 16 units in six air forces replacing 11 aircraft types. This confirms Eurofighter as not only the best performing multi-role aircraft available on the world market but also the most effective and best value solution to meet the air defence requirements of air forces and nations worldwide.

To date, the fleet has completed over 130,000 flying hours with well above average operational availability and unmatched operational performance which was demonstrated recently during operations over Libya.

Eurofighter Typhoon is the aircraft of choice for the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, Spain, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Austrian Air Forces.

The event coincides with the Seoul Air Show 2011 where Eurofighter is exhibiting its capabilities to support the campaign for the FX-III acquisition project where the South Korean Defence Ministry is seeking to purchase some 60 next-generation fighters with the target of having them delivered for operational service in 2016.

Enzo Casolini, Eurofighter GmbH CEO, said: “Today’s milestone is another important example of how successful this joint European consortium is. The programme, the largest industrial collaboration in Europe, is a shining example of what can be achieved through cooperation, bringing together European capabilities; securing thousands of long-term jobs and generating a positive economic impact for the customer nations”.

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 707 aircraft under contract, it is Europe’s largest military collaborative programme and delivers leading-edge technology, strengthening Europe’s aerospace industry in the global competition.

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 Aeronautica/Finmeccanica, BAE Systems, EADS CASA and EADS Deutschland, Europe’s foremost aerospace companies with a total turnover of approx. EUR 120 billion (2010).

As soon as the aircraft entered Austrian air space from Switzerland, two Typhoons appeared on the left-hand side of President Pratibha Patil’s plane according to the report.

“Those inside the presidential aircraft started shooting the jets in frenzy. But, only with their mobile phones and cameras. The Eurofighter is one of the shortlisted contenders in the Indian MMRCA tender to purchase 126 “Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft”.

“After about two minutes, one of the jets suddenly pulled back and flew to the other side of the aircraft. Everyone was interested in getting the perfect shot of the plane which also opened its co-passenger shield as a mark of respect. The best view was just before landing as all three aircraft lost altitude and the jets were at arm’s length”.

The Austrian Bundesheer have a fleet of 15 Typhoon jets operating as an air surveillance wing from their home base in Zeltweg. The Wing, known as “Überwachungsgeschwader” has been active in recent air surveillance operations, putting the facilities and aircraft to the test.

Nigel Whitehead, BAE Systems Group Managing Director - Programmes and Support said: “This cost effective proposal offers Eurofighter Typhoon, the world’s most advanced multi-role combat aircraft, as Japan’s best option to meet the requirement for its F-X programme and the most capable deterrent to regional threats. The aircraft already has operationally proven multi-role capabilities and through our ability to offer licensed production, maintenance and technology transfer, Japan can have sovereign control of manufacture, support and upgrade of Typhoon aircraft in Japan by Japanese industry. We are also able to offer software source codes and other data, giving Japan the ability to develop the aircraft itself to meet its own unique needs, now and in the future”.

The UK Ambassador to Japan David Warren also commented: “I am delighted that BAE Systems has been able to submit such a compelling solution to Japan’s F-X requirement. Typhoon will deliver world-class capability for many years to come. It also offers our two nations an opportunity to significantly strengthen our defence and security relationship and an opportunity for ground breaking industrial cooperation which will contribute substantially to Japan’s defence and aerospace industries future. The Proposal has HM Government’s fullest support”

Eurofighter Jagdflugzeug GmbH manages the Typhoon programme on behalf of the Eurofighter Partner Companies: Alenia Aeronautica, BAE Systems and Cassidian in Spain and Germany, Europe’s foremost aerospace companies.

Over 290 aircraft have been delivered to the air forces of the four partner nations and to customers, with 115,000 flying hours achieved between them.

In the UK, the Royal Air Force working with BAE Systems’ support, ensures Typhoon is available for full operational duty, protecting and defending the national air space 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The role of the aircraft includes air defence and air interception.

The Royal Air Force operate Typhoon from RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire, RAF Leuchars in Scotland, and Mount Pleasant in the Falkland Islands and most recently have been performing operational tasks in Libya.

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 707 aircraft under contract, it is Europe’s largest military collaborative programme and delivers leading-edge technology, strengthening Europe’s aerospace industry in the global competition.

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 Aeronautica/Finmeccanica, BAE Systems, EADS CASA and EADS Deutschland, Europe’s foremost aerospace companies with a total turnover of approx. EUR 120 billion (2010).

The judges, who included Eurofighter photographer Geoffrey Lee from Planefocus; Neil Bury, author of the front cover image on the 2011 Eurofighter Calendar; professional photographer Alvise Predieri and representatives from the Eurofighter Communications team, deliberated for hours reviewing the images sent in by aviation enthusiasts from all over the world.

The entries, all of which were of an impressively high standard, provided a challenge for the judges. In the end, after whittling the favourites down to a handful, it was several breathtaking photographs that caused a heated debate.

The eventual winner was Ian Ramsbottom, whose stunning shot of a 17 Sqn Typhoon in the Mach Loop in Wales, UK, left the judges with little to disagree on. In second place was Alvaro Muñoz-Aycuens who took an image of Typhoon in the stormy skies at Duxford Air Show worthy of a renaissance era painting, and in third place was the iconic photo of Typhoon taken at Aero India 2011 in Bangalore by Rajesh Kumar Elumalai, who captured the stark contrast between the white display smoke and the clear blue Indian sky.

A special mention also goes to 16 year old Paddy Fidling who the judges felt has a bright future in aviation photography.

Congratulatons to Ian and all those mentioned, and thank you to everyone who entered. Ian’s picture will be featured in the 2012 Eurofighter Typhoon calendar and he will sit on next year’s judging panel.

“I’ve now completed 30 sorties in support of United Nations [Security Council Resolution] 1973, with an average sortie length of 5 hours, so I feel qualified to say that the Typhoon has come of age. In just over 3 months we’ve flown almost 1300 hours, the same as a Typhoon circumnavigating the Earth 24 times.

Although, this isn’t to take the focus from Typhoon’s operational history: it is on duty 24 hours a day, 365 days a year on Quick Reaction Alert in the UK and the Falklands.

However, Typhoon’s rapid deployment to Gioia del Colle air base in Italy, 72 hours from the initial UN mandate and subsequent first mission on Operation ODYSSEY DAWN 12 hours later, are testament to the deployability and relevance of this new generation aircraft.

More impressive has been the “re-roling” of Typhoon and its pilots from an air-to-air aircraft to an air-to-ground fighter-bomber.

“From a pilot’s perspective, the aircraft is spectacular. Despite spending on average 7 hours in the cockpit per mission you could not find a more comfortable aircraft to fly. The cockpit is large by fast-jet standards and the information from the radar, DASS and LINK-16 is displayed easily and accessibly. This allows you to function at 100% capability throughout the sortie, not plagued by fatigue or a lack of situational awareness.

“Due to the aircraft’s huge excess power it enables the flight from Gioia to Libya, some 650 miles, to take just over an hour, cruising at 40 000 feet, 0.9 mach, even with a war load of 4 Enhanced Paveway II 1000 lb bombs, a Litening III Targeting POD, AMRAAM and ASRAAM missiles.

“Overall, I’ve been fortunate to oversee the maturation of the RAF’s first multi-role combat aircraft since World War II. More than that, as a Service we’ve been fortunate to have at our disposal an aircraft that fulfils the RAF’s mantra of being agile, adaptable and capable; as an American airman said to me, ‘that’s a lot of bang for the buck’.

“This is reinforced by the fact that the average hours flown per aircraft during this operation have increased from 24 to nearly 90 per month, which demonstrates the platform’s stunning serviceability.

“Together with the Tornado GR-4, Typhoon has enabled the UK to meet its commitment to the UN-mandated Libyan no-fly zone whilst still providing Air Defence of the UK and its dependencies.”

Below can be found some Operation Ellamy data shown at the briefing, relating to the combined fleet of RAF Tornado and Typhoon:

• Sorties flown: 1,114
• % completed sorties on NATO total: 21%
• Hours flown: 2,395
• Average sortie time: 2.14 hours
• % of all NATO strikes: 15%
• Typhoon ATO: 97%
• Tornado ATO: 97%
• Typhoon strikes: 91
• Tornado strikes: 455
• Overall success rate: 97%

BAE Systems Chief Test Pilot for Combat Air, Mark Bowman, will fly a Warton based development aircraft (IPA 5) on each day of the show and a full scale replica of the aircraft, including full weapon display, will be available for general public access. In addition, the RAF will have a Typhoon on display in the static aircraft park.

IPA 5 will fly in a swing-role configuration, including four Paveway II laser guided bombs, two 1000 ltr fuel tanks, four AMRAAMs (Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles) and two ASRAAMs (Advanced Short Range Air-to-Air Missiles) and will highlight to the trade and public visitors that the Typhoon is agile regardless of weapon load, pulling up to an impressive 5.5g and in excess of 20 degrees angle of attack.

Mark said: “I am looking forward enormously to displaying at RIAT this year. The aim is simply to demonstrate the Typhoon's power, performance and presence in a truly representative combat load. Different than most other 'clean aircraft' displays, I hope the observer will get a real sense of why Typhoon is not only at the forefront of world combat aviation, but also acknowledge the role of European technology, engineering and ingenuity in producing this 'awesome' aircraft”.

Most air displays are achieved by reducing fuel and weapon loads, however with this display, IPA 5 demonstrates significant weapon carriage and manoeuvrability whilst still able to demonstrate carefree handling for the pilot.

This will be the biggest ever Royal Tattoo for Typhoon and will highlight how Eurofighter Typhoon is the world’s most advanced, new generation multi-role combat jet. Eurofighter will also be sponsoring the crew’s enclosure at the show.