Penultimate Spanish Typhoon

摘要

SEEN LANDING at Getafe air base on May 31 is Ejercito del Aire (EA, Spanish Air Force) Eurofighter Typhoon C.16-77 '14-35'/10234, the penultimate example for the service to come off the Airbus production line. The aircraft was returning from a Multifunctional Information Distribution System (MIDS) test flight, one of the last evaluations prior to handover to Ala 14 based at Albacete. It's planned that the final aircraft from the original order for 72 will be delivered to the EA next July. The air arm operates a total of 67 aircraft, as three have been lost in accidents. A second order for additional Eurofighters could be signed soon as the aircraft is the EA's preferred option to replace the ageing fleet of secondhand F/A-18As in service with Ala 46 at Gando in the Canary Islands, of which around 20 are still in service. These aircraft, operated by 462 Escuadron, are currently receiving major maintenance work to extend their service life to 2025. To make up for this, the EA periodically sends a number of EF-18Ms from Ala 12 or Ala 15 to Gando to support air defence of the archipelago.