Eurofighter says it will use this week's Defendory show in Athens to resume efforts to complete a 90-aircraft deal with the Greek government. Eurofighter chief executive Aloysius Rauen says the company will use the event to "re-emphasise the campaign" following a freeze in major Greek military procurements forced by the country's hosting of the 2004 Olympic Games.
Greece has a new government and a new requirement since it selected 60 Typhoons, plus 30 options, to meet its future fighter requirements, and Eurofighter is waiting to see the new administration's stance towards pursuing a fighter aircraft acquisition, says Eurofighter export director Pierluigi Romagnoli. He says a window of opportunity exists to around 2015 to sell the Eurofighter Typhoon before the availability of the Lockheed Martin F-35 Joint Strike Fighter (JSF), which he does not view as a competitor. In a new development, Romagnoli says Turkey is also "starting to talk about an emerging requirement for the Eurofighter".
Source: Flight International
