Aircraft

The Austrian air force's first of 15 Eurofighter Typhoon interceptors was delivered to the service's Zeltweg airbase on 12 July, less than three weeks after Vienna resolved a political storm over the type's acquisition.

Austria's acceptance of the Tranche 1, Block 5-configured aircraft makes it the fifth nation to field the Eurofighter, following partner nations Germany, Italy, Spain and the UK, and its first example is the 125th to have been handed over to date from firm contracts totalling 399 Typhoons.

© Austrian Armed Forces Photograph

The Austrian air force had expected to receive 18 single-seat aircraft under a 2003 deal worth €2 billion ($2.7 billion), but a recent compromise agreement saw this trimmed by three airframes and around €370 million. Training systems for the Eurofighter are already in use at Zeltweg, with initial Austrian pilots also having undergone instruction with the German air force.

Vienna's second Typhoon conducted its flight debut from EADS's Manching plant near Munich on 9 July, where its next four examples are also in final assembly. Delivery of the 15-aircraft fleet will be completed by mid-2009.