Jon Lake

The first two Eurofighter Typhoons destined for the Kuwait Air Force (KAF) made their inaugural flights on October 15 at Leonardo’s Caselle factory airfield near Turin, in northwest Italy. The two aircraft were both two-seaters—the Kuwaiti order for 28 aircraft will include six two-seat trainers—and were painted in full KAF insignia, with a toned-down air force crest and a full-color Kuwaiti flag on the tail but with Italian experimental serial numbers.

 


When they enter service KAF Typhoons are going to be the most advanced examples of the type. They will be the first delivered to the new Phase 3 Enhancements Package b (P3Eb) standard, and the first to be equipped with the initial production version of the Captor E AESA radar, now known as the ECRS Mk 0, and previously known as Radar One Plus. The ECRS Mk 0 radar provides significantly more power than competing AESA radar systems, while the advanced antenna repositioner gives a much wider field-of-regard covering the entire forward hemisphere.

 


The Kuwaiti entry into service (EIS) standard represents the first phase of P3Eb and includes the new E-scan radar (with an EIS level of capability), the Sniper Advanced Targeting Pod with downlink, VOR navigation capability, and a P5 ACMI pod (providing real-time training for air-to-air gunnery, IRIS-T, and AMRAAM C7). Weapons will include a range of free-fall bombs (Mk 82, 83, and 84), IRIS-T and AIM-120C7 AMRAAM, and the aircraft will have an&nbsp;initial Meteor long-range missile training capability. This Kuwaiti configuration was developed and tested in Italy using the Typhoon Instrumented Series Production Aircraft (ISPA) 6, which first flew on December 23, 2019.

 


Subsequently, a KAF Enhanced standard will be introduced, with an upgraded E-scan radar, full Meteor capability, GBU-31 JDAM precision-guided bombs, Enhanced Sniper (full-range capability), and a P5 ACMI Pod Enhancement. The capability package for Kuwait also includes the integration of MBDA Storm Shadow cruise missiles and Brimstone air-to-surface missiles. The Storm Shadow will provide a long-range stand-off capability that the U.S. refuses to provide with the Super Hornet.

 


Kuwaiti interest in the Eurofighter Typhoon emerged in 2012 when a pair of Italian air force Eurofighter Typhoons from the 4° Stormo squadron was deployed to Kuwait for evaluation. An MoU followed in September 2015 and a $8.7 billion <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/defense/2016-04-05/eurofighter-concludes-deal-supply-28-typhoons-kuwait">contract for 28 aircraft was signed</a> with Finmeccanica (now Leonardo) in April 2016. This included associated infrastructure at Ali Al-Salem Air Base, training, logistics, and a three-year package of initial support services (with an option for a further five years).

 


Kuwait thereby became the eighth customer for the Eurofighter Typhoon after the UK, Germany, Italy, Spain, Austria, Saudi Arabia, and Oman&nbsp;and the third customer in the Gulf region. Qatar subsequently signed a $6.8 billion&nbsp;deal for 24 Typhoons, and Saudi Arabia has reportedly reached a provisional agreement for a batch of 48 further Typhoons, at an estimated cost of $13 billion.

 


The first Kuwaiti Typhoon began final assembly in October 2018, and the first seven Kuwaiti pilots graduated from their Italian Air Force flying training courses on July 5, 2020. Kuwait was originally set to receive its first batch of Eurofighters in the fourth quarter of 2020, and deliveries were due to be completed in 2023. First deliveries will now be made before the end of this year.

 


The KAF is undertaking a major modernization and expansion of its fighter arm and, as well as taking the Eurofighter Typhoon into service, the KAF will replace 39 F/A-18C/D “legacy” Hornets with 28 F/A-18E/F Super Hornets (consisting of 22 single-seat F/A-18Es and six two-seat F/A-18Fs).

News and developments about airplanes, helicopters and unmanned air vehicles used in all varieties of operations, including airlines, military, business, commercial, general aviation and private.

Kuwait’s Typhoon Multirole Fighter is Now Flying

The first two of 28 Eurofighter Typhoons ordered by the Kuwait Air Force are now in pre-handover flight test.

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Hanneke Weitering

News and issues regarding all manner of civil and military rotorcraft and their powerplants, including helicopters, tilt rotors and unmanned air vehicles.

Agreement covers up to 12 of the Alia-250 model and is Beta's second sale in New Zealand

New Zealand Air Ambulance Service Orders Beta's eVTOL Aircraft

New developments at airports including regulations and noise issues; legal disputes; openings, acquisitions and mergers.

Midnight eVTOL aircraft production begins in 2025

Archer Completes Georgia eVTOL Factory

AmyWilder

News about bills, laws, regulations and other governmental decisions affecting aviation and aerospace. Topics include FAA re-authorizations, taxes on fuel and aviation activities, environmental legislation, ICAO decisions, governmental mediation of labor conflicts and World Trade Organization disputes and decisions.

News and issues concerning general aviation, specifically airplanes and helicopters powered by piston and alternative engines (i.e., non-turbine powered aircraft). Subjects include aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

Deliveries of the turboprop single can now start in the UK

Piper M700 Fury Secures UK CAA Nod

Kerry Lynch

News and issues relating to the aerospace industry that are related to the science, engineering and business of flight in space involving civil, industrial and military applications, and similar topics related to flight in the atmosphere of the Earth that are not covered more directly by other AINonline subject channels. In other words, both astronautical and aeronautical subjects, except for those aeronautical topics that are specifically covered elsewhere on this website.

News and issues relating to international air transport and cargo carriers, national airlines and regional airlines, including aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

Essential news and analysis on the defense aerospace business. Your trusted source for new and ongoing programs and requirements in military aircraft (manned and unmanned), engines, avionics, weapons and associated systems, including ground-based air defense.

Testing on Quarterhorse Mk 1 was completed in 21 days

Hermeus Completes Quarterhorse Demonstrator Ground Tests

Jessica Reed

News and issues about aviation maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO), covering all segments of the aviation industry; and modifications for aircraft and engines. Subjects include product support of aircraft, engines and avionics, MRO company mergers, acquisitions, announcements and personnel, Airworthiness Directives, Supplemental Type Certificate approvals and other topics.

News and issues relating to business, corporate and private aviation, primarily regarding turbine-engine-powered airplanes and helicopters. Subjects include aircraft, engines, maintenance, operations, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security, and training.

Leadership changes will go into effect on Jan. 1, 2025

Dave Yip To Take Over as Acting CEO of Metrojet

N1000-XSS1 technology demonstrator achieves first test flight

U.S. Start-up Nimbus Flies Electric Bizjet Demonstrator

Latest structural tests earned credits towards FAA type certification

Joby Completes Static Load Tests on eVTOL Aircraft Tail

Charles Alcock

News and developments about aircraft engines, including turbofan, turboprop, turboshaft and piston.

More In Aircraft