Cassidian has handed over the 100th Eurofighter to the German Air Force at the Military Air Systems Centre in Manching. The aircraft with the identifier 31x00, took off on its delivery flight to Boelke Fighter Bomber Wing 31 in Noervenich. Speaking to delegates including politicians, representatives of public authorities, German armed forces and industry; Bernhard Gerwert, CEO of Cassidian, underscored the importance of this milestone for the company.

“The Eurofighter programme is and remains one of the essential pillars of Cassidian’s business. Eurofighter is the largest European hightech programme and is the most modern multi-role combat aircraft in the market today. Together with the German Air Force, we can be proud that this programme is running soundly and successfully.”

General Lieutenant Karl Muellner, Chief of Staff of the German Air Force, said: “Due to its interoperability, modularity and growth potential, the multi-role weapon system, Eurofighter, is today the backbone of the German Air Force’s combat aircraft fleet, particularly in light of the new orientation of our armed forces, and will also remain in future.”

The German Air Force received its first Eurofighter from Cassidian at the beginning of 2003. The combat aircraft was launched in Germany in 2004 and since then has flown more than 30,000 flight hours without accident. The Eurofighter is currently operational at ‘Steinhoff’ Fighter Wing 73 in Laage, Fighter Wing 74 in Neuburg and ‘Boelke’ Fighter Bomber Wing 31 in Noervenich.

With 719 aircraft under contract, 571 orders and 355 deliveries, the Eurofighter is currently the largest military procurement programme in Europe and boosts the European aviation industry’s standing in international competition. Seven nations (Germany, the UK, Italy, Spain, Austria, Saudi Arabia and Oman) have procured the Eurofighter. At present, the aircraft are being operated by 20 operative entities worldwide. Till date, the Eurofighter fleet has completed more than 1,60,000 flight hours globally. It is thus the safest and one of the most reliable combat aircraft in operational use.