Germany, Italy, Spain and UK to order Eurofighter

Published: Dec 14, 2004
Source: news.xinhuanet.com



Germany, Italy, Spain and the UK will go ahead with a 13 billion-euro (US$17 billion) order for Eurofighter military aircraft with the ground-attack capability demanded by Britain.

"London-based BAE Systems Plc, European Aeronautic, Defence & Space Co and Italy's Finmeccanica SpA will receive the 236-plane order as early as this week," said a source close to the deal.

The order has been delayed for two years because of UK concerns that the plane was too expensive and lacked the capability to attack ground targets with precision weapons.

"This will give Eurofighter the credible air-to-ground role," said Paul Beaver, a defence analyst at Ashbourne Beaver Associates in London. "It should restore confidence in the export market, which has been damaged because of the procrastinations."continue..