Created in July 2012, the aim of the Eurofighter Typhoon Interoperability Project (ETIP) is to enhance the Eurofighter Typhoon operational capabilities, providing a permanent forum to strengthen the network whilst identifying practical opportunities to promote combined familiarity, detect interoperability issues and develop and validate practical solutions in the Air Operations, Flight Safety and Maintenance domains.
From 24-25 May 2022, the latest iteration of the Permanent Forum (PF) meeting was held at EAG HQ at RAF High Wycombe, with attendees including representatives from DEU, ESP, GBR, ITA. Presentations from the national reps led onto discussions focusing on a number of subjects including: the current DEU led bilateral agreements with ESP, GBR and ITA; national recognition of quality control and verification of spare parts; an expansion of the EAG ML1 AGE -ground equipment- compatibility matrix; a review of the Eurofighter/Typhoon Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs); training opportunities for 2022 and 2023 and ground crew exchanges.
The DEU led bilateral agreements are focused on interoperability during NATO Combined Air Policing operations and look to save nations resources and cut down on manpower and logistics footprints during those operations. Training opportunities are now focused on the utilisation of the Training Leadership Programme’s (TLP’s) courses, based at Albacete Airbase in ESP. Here operators and technicians from all four nations can gather to share information and trial the interoperability of manpower and equipment on each other aircraft in an exercise environment.
The meeting concluded with a review of the current action items and a look forward to the ETIP activities at the TLP Flying Course in November 2022 and to the next PF meeting to be held in ESP before the end of the year.
