In Italian service, the Eurofighter F-2000A provides the backbone of its air-to-air fighting force. Joe Campion speaks to a pilot and explores the Italian Air Force's long-standing relationship with the Typhoon
The European-built type is operated by four separate wings at four different locations throughout mainland Italy and the island of Sicily, as well as serving with the Reparto Sperimentale Volo (RSV). The Italian (T)F-2000s were built at the Leonardo (previously Alenia Aermacchi) facility at Turin-Caselle, with the final Italian F-2000 being delivered on October 23, 2020.
A total of 95 aircraft have been delivered, consisting of 81 single-seat F-2000As and 14 twin-seat TF-2000As. Two single-seat aircraft have been lost in accidents, one in an aerial demonstration off the coast of Lazio (serial MM7278) in 2017 and the most recent off the coast of Trapani in December 2022; both accidents were fatal.
