Eurofighter Typhoon Gets Boost as Italy Orders 54 New EJ200 Engines

A new chapter in European defence aviation has been opened with Eurojet Turbo GmbH signing a major contract with the NATO Eurofighter and Tornado Management Agency (NETMA). The agreement will see up to 54 new EJ200 engines delivered to the Italian Air Force, supporting the nation’s Eurofighter Typhoon fleet as part of a Tranche I replacement programme.

The contract represents a resurgence in interest across Europe in the Eurofighter programme, following the Spanish Halcón II order announced late last year. It underlines both the operational relevance of the Typhoon platform and the continued strategic importance of the EJ200 engine at its heart.

Production of the EJ200 will once again be a collaborative effort between Eurojet’s four partner companies: Rolls-Royce (UK), MTU Aero Engines (Germany), ITP Aero (Spain), and Avio Aero (Italy). Final assembly for the Italian engines will be carried out by Avio Aero, reinforcing Italy’s direct industrial role in the programme.

Ralf Breiling, CEO of Eurojet, welcomed the announcement:

“This agreement, coming so soon after the Spanish Halcón II acquisition, underscores the strong, ongoing trust from the nations in the EJ200 engine and the Eurofighter platform. It strengthens our European defence cooperation. The EJ200 is a proven, world-class engine that significantly enhances the Eurofighter Typhoon’s performance, range and operational efficiency. This new Italian order further cements the critical partnership between government and industry, ensuring continued technological leadership in defence for the Italian nation.”

AVM Simon Ellard, General Manager of NETMA, echoed the sentiment:

“The new order for Italy is yet another fantastic achievement for the Eurofighter programme. Following the Halcón II contract, this marks a new era and shows how vital the Eurofighter Typhoon is to the collective security of Europe. The EJ200 continues to deliver the performance needed to keep the aircraft at the forefront of NATO air power.”

As tensions remain elevated across NATO’s eastern flank, the renewed investment into the Typhoon fleet—and the propulsion technology that powers it—demonstrates a clear commitment to maintaining readiness, interoperability, and technological edge across Europe’s air forces.