The Spanish Air Force have reached a key milestone as their Eurofighter Typhoon fleet achieved 10,000 flying hours. The event was marked in a ceremony held at Morón Air Base, in Southern Spain, hosted by Base Commander for Morón and Squadron 11, Colonel Francisco Javier Fernández Sánchez. In attendance were a variety of local companies who work on the Eurofighter Typhoon program, including EADS CASA, INDRA and ITP, who provide engines as part of the Eurojet consortium. The 10,000th hour came during a training mission of Ala 113 at the base which received its first Eurofighter Typhoon – or C.16 as it is known within the Ejercito de l’Aire – in October 2003.
The Typhoon aircraft is used by the Air Force for air defence and air interception roles, protecting and defending national air space 24 hours a day, fully operational seven days a week from January 2008. Morón air base operates with two Squadrons. Squadron 113 is an operational conversion unit, providing among other roles Typhoon pilot training, whilst Squadron 111 is the main front line unit to provide the Spanish Air Force with the necessary offensive and defensive capabilities to accomplish international tasks and fulfill the Spanish defense policy.
The Spanish Air Force has received so far 28 of the 87 Eurofighter Typhoons expected. Another two Squadrons will be equipped with the C.16 in the future: 14 Wing located on Albacete Air Force Base will see the Eurofighter replace the Mirage F-1 and 112 Squadron which will be the second operational squadron in 11 Wing.
This significant achievement by the Spanish Air Force serves to reaffirm the operational and industrial success of the Eurofighter programme as well as the importance of the aerospace industry in Spain.
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 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 88 billion (2008).
