First Eurofighter Typhoons for Kuwait delivered
Kuwait's Ambassador to Italy and the Deputy Commander of the Kuwait Air Force, with other military dignities, attended a ceremony at the Leonardo Group Aircraft Division factory at Torino-Caselle Nord for the formal handover and acceptance of the first two Typhoons for the al-Quwwat al-Jawwiya al-Kuwaitiya (Kuwait Air Force, KAF) on 7 December 2021.
The two fighters departed Italy for their delivery flight on 14 December 2021.
On 15 October 2021, the dual seat Typhoons took to the air for the first time from Torino-Caselle Nord. The aircraft carried Italian test registration CSX55243 and CSX55244.
No Kuwaiti serials were applied to CSX55243 (KT001) and CSX55244 (KT002). Just before delivery the 'C.S.X.' part of the serial was taped over and changed to 'M.T.'. Italian KC-767A tanker, MM62228 as IAM1434, from 8° Gruppo and two Grosseto Typhoons assisted with the ferry flight to Ali Al Samem Air Base, Kuwait.
It remains to be seen if the KAF will adopt the Italian designation for the Eurofighter Typhoon (TF-2000A for the dual seat and F-2000A for the single seater variant). An unknown single seat Typhoon destined for the KAF, possibly KS001, served as backdrop on the 7 December 2021 ceremony. Unfortunately the KAF Typhoons will be in a rather dull single shade of grey colourscheme with only the Kuwait flag in colour and a black air force crest on the tail.
In April 2016, Kuwait signed a USD 8.7 billion contract with Finmeccanica (now Leonardo) for the supply of 28 aircraft (22 single seat and six dual seat fighters), with associated training, logistics, and an operational support package. The Eurofighter Typhoon final assembly line at the Leonardo Aircraft Division factory at Torino-Caselle Nord launched the assembly of the first KAF Typhoon formally in October 2018.
Photos by Alessandro Maggia (top) and Leonardo (bottom)