Eurofighter opens Office in Athens

Eurofighter

GmbH has today formally opened its Programme Office in Athens. The Eurofighter weapon

system is the world’s most advanced multi-role combat aircraft, and has been

selected for procurement by the Government of Greece for the Hellenic Air

Force. Eurofighter GmbH is the management company for the programme, which is a

collaboration between the Governments and Industries of Germany, Italy, Spain

and the United Kingdom, and in particular between the partner companies Alenia

Aerospazio, British Aerospace, CASA and DaimlerChrysler Aerospace.

 

 

 

Visiting

Athens for the opening, the Managing Director of Eurofighter GmbH, Mr. Brian

Phillipson commented: “Opening the Eurofighter Programme Office today is the

next step in what will be a close and long lasting relationship between the

industries, air forces and governments of Greece and our existing four partner

nations. The decision of the Greek government to join the programme and acquire

the Eurofighter weapon system was excellent news for Greece and for Europe.

 

 

 

Not only will

Greece have the benefit of building its future air defences on the world’s most

capable and most cost effective weapon system in the world, the multi-role

Eurofighter aircraft – the decision will also bring tremendous benefits to

Greece financially, and politically. It will reinforce the operational,

industrial and economic links between Greece and the other Eurofighter nations

– Germany, Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom – bringing additional strength

to NATO, to the European Union, and the European Defence pillar which is so

important for us all.

 

 

 

I look forward

to concluding our contract negotiations with Greece later this year, and see

our Programme Office as being a permanent and active focus here in Athens for

any support and assistance which is required in cementing the Eurofighter

partnership between Greece, the programme headquarters in Munich, and all our

governmental, military and industrial colleagues on the programme throughout

Europe.”

 

 

 

Dr. Jens Gönnemann, Director of the new Eurofighter office,

stated: „The opening of our office today is a clear commitment to the

developing relationship between the Eurofighter consortium and all our partners

in the government, the Air Force and industry in Greece. Our intention is to work very closely with

all national agencies and authorities as well as industry in the spirit of true

partnership to accelerate the efforts on our side.“

 

 

 

 

 

Greece has

confirmed its intention to join the Eurofighter programme in April and plans to

introduce between 60 and 90 aircraft into service beginning in 2005.

Negotiations have already commenced with the intention of signing contracts at

the end of the year.

 

 

 

The Chief of

Air Staff of the Hellenic Air Force, Lieutenant General Litzerakos flew

Eurofighter Development Aircraft DA6 at CASA’s facilities at Getafe near Madrid

on 9 June 1999.

 

 

 

Eurofighter

GmbH intends to propose to the Hellenic Air Force to take a Development

Aircraft to Greece for the celebrations of the patron’s day of the Hellenic Air

Force on 8 November.