Omari Gates
Austria is upset with the Eurofighter builders Airbus and the consortium because of a legal battle over the jets with allegations of deception and fraud linked to a near 2 billion euro jet order in 2003. Austria sued Airbus and the Eurofighter consortium in February, alleging deception and fraud linked to the jet order. The charges were the latest in a series of rows between Austria and the consortium, which have sparked two parliamentary inquiries and resulted in Airbus boss Tom Enders being investigated by Vienna prosecutors.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Legal battle | Austria sued Airbus and the Eurofighter consortium in February, alleging deception and fraud linked to a near 2 billion euro jet order in 2003. |
| Fraud and deception | The Austrian government accused the consortium of fraud and wilful deception in connection with a $2 billion 2003 Eurofighter order. |
| Suspicion of overpayment | Austria's 2017 complaint against Airbus and the Eurofighter consortium alleged they had misled it about the price, deliverability and features of the jets. |
| Kickbacks | The Austrian government suspected that the government paid €183 million too much as kickbacks to middlemen were priced into the contract. |
| German investigation | Airbus agreed to pay $99 million to settle a German investigation into alleged corruption surrounding the Austrian purchase. |
| Indecision | An unnamed acquisition official explained that high-level obstructors would like to sabotage the acquisition project for the time being. |
| Political change | The current Minister of Defence, Klaudia Tanner, replied to the author's question on whether she would continue the plan to end the Eurofighter programme early. |
What You'll Learn
Airbus denies fraud allegations
In 2017, Austria sued Airbus and the Eurofighter consortium, including Britain's BAE Systems and Italy's Leonardo, alleging deception and fraud linked to a near 2 billion euro jet order in 2003. The charges were the latest in a series of rows between Austria and the consortium, which have sparked two parliamentary inquiries and resulted in Airbus boss Tom Enders being investigated by Vienna prosecutors.
In 2020, the new Austrian government decided to re-look into the previous cabinet's decision to withdraw the Eurofighter from service in 2020. Defence Minister Mario Kunasek's Social Democratic predecessor Hans Peter Doskozil started an unprecedented legal battle with Airbus and the consortium a year ago, accusing them of fraud and wilful deception in connection with a $2 billion 2003 Eurofighter order. Austrian investigators started a legal probe of the consortium and individuals including Airbus Chief Executive Tom Enders based on the ministry's allegations soon afterwards.
In February, Airbus was ordered in Germany to pay $81.25 million in penalties for dubious money flows related to the Austrian aircraft deal. The same month, Austria sued Airbus and the Eurofighter consortium, including Britain's BAE Systems and Italy's Leonardo, alleging deception and fraud linked to a near 2 billion euro jet order in 2003.
In 2024, the current Minister of Defence, Klaudia Tanner, replied to the author's question on whether she would continue: "Well, that's the plan". The new Austrian government has decided to re-look into the previous cabinet's decision to withdraw the Eurofighter from service in 2020. Defence Minister Mario Kunasek's Social Democratic predecessor Hans Peter Doskozil started an unprecedented legal battle with Airbus and the consortium a year ago, accusing them of fraud and wilful deception in connection with a $2 billion 2003 Eurofighter order.
In 2017, Austria sued Airbus and the Eurofighter consortium, including Britain's BAE Systems and Italy's Leonardo, alleging deception and fraud linked to a near 2 billion euro jet order in 2003. The charges were the latest in a series of rows between Austria and the consortium, which have sparked two parliamentary inquiries and resulted in Airbus boss Tom Enders being investigated by Vienna prosecutors.
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High-level obstructors sabotage acquisition project
High-level obstructors are sabotaging Austria's acquisition project of the Eurofighter fighter jets. Unnamed acquisition officials have alleged that high-level obstructors are working with other interests that might see a strong LCA as upsetting or interfering with a decision to replace the Eurofighter later on.
In 2017, Austria's defense minister said that the country plans to end its Eurofighter jet programme early and replace it with a cheaper alternative fleet of aircraft bought or leased from another government. In February 2020, Austria's new government decided to re-look into the previous cabinet's decision to withdraw the Eurofighter from service in 2020. The previous cabinet's decision was made by Defense Minister Hans Peter Doskozil, who began a legal battle with Airbus and the consortium a year ago, accusing them of fraud and wilful deception in connection with a $2 billion 2003 Eurofighter order.
In 2017, Austria sued Airbus and the Eurofighter consortium, including Britain's BAE Systems and Italy's Leonardo, in February, alleging deception and fraud linked to a near 2 billion euro jet order in 2003. Airbus and the consortium have denied the accusations. In February 2020, Airbus was ordered in Germany to pay $81.25 million in penalties for dubious money flows related to the Austrian aircraft deal.
In 2020, Austria's Defense Minister Klaudia Tanner threatened a lawsuit against Airbus, which holds a major stake in the Eurofighter company. Tanner had also threatened to reverse the acquisition of Austria's 15 Eurofighter jets, on suspicions that the government paid €183 million too much — as kickbacks to middlemen were priced into the contract.
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Austria sues Airbus consortium
In 2017, Austria sued Airbus and the Eurofighter consortium, including Britain's BAE Systems and Italy's Leonardo, alleging deception and fraud linked to a near 2 billion euro jet order in 2003. The new Austrian government has decided to re-look into the previous cabinet's decision to withdraw the Eurofighter from service in 2020. The defence minister, Mario Kunasek, accused Airbus and the consortium of fraud and wilful deception in connection with the 2003 Eurofighter order. Austrian investigators started a legal probe of the consortium and individuals including Airbus Chief Executive Tom Enders based on the ministry's allegations.
In 2020, an Austrian court ended the Eurofighter fraud probe, which was a blow to the defence minister, Klaudia Tanner, who had threatened a lawsuit against Airbus. The defence minister had also threatened to reverse the acquisition of Austria's 15 Eurofighter jets, on suspicions that the government paid €183 million too much. Austria's 2017 complaint against Airbus and the Eurofighter consortium alleged they had misled it about the price, deliverability and features of the jets.
In February, Airbus was ordered in Germany to pay $81.25 million in penalties for dubious money flows related to the Austrian aircraft deal. Austria plans to end its Eurofighter jet programme early and replace it with a cheaper alternative fleet of aircraft bought or leased from another government. Austria has also spoken with U.S. officials about its interest in the U.S.-built F-16 fighter jet.
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Airbus agrees $99 million German fine
In 2017, Austria sued Airbus and the Eurofighter consortium, including Britain's BAE Systems and Italy's Leonardo, alleging deception and fraud linked to a near 2 billion euro jet order in 2003. The new Austrian government has decided to re-look into the previous cabinet's decision to withdraw the Eurofighter from service in 2020. The defence minister, Mario Kunasek, accused Airbus and the consortium of fraud and wilful deception in connection with the $2 billion 2003 Eurofighter order. Austrian investigators started a legal probe of the consortium and individuals including Airbus Chief Executive Tom Enders based on the ministry's allegations.
In February, Airbus was ordered in Germany to pay $81.25 million in penalties for dubious money flows related to the Austrian aircraft deal. The charges were the latest in a series of rows between Austria and the consortium, which have sparked two parliamentary inquiries and resulted in Airbus boss Tom Enders being investigated by Vienna prosecutors.
In 2020, Airbus agreed to pay $99 million to settle a German investigation into alleged corruption surrounding the Austrian purchase. The new Austrian government has decided to re-look into the previous cabinet's decision to withdraw the Eurofighter from service in 2020.
In 2017, Austria sued Airbus and the Eurofighter consortium, including Britain's BAE Systems and Italy's Leonardo, alleging deception and fraud linked to a near 2 billion euro jet order in 2003. The new Austrian government has decided to re-look into the previous cabinet's decision to withdraw the Eurofighter from service in 2020. The defence minister, Mario Kunasek, accused Airbus and the consortium of fraud and wilful deception in connection with the $2 billion 2003 Eurofighter order. Austrian investigators started a legal probe of the consortium and individuals including Airbus Chief Executive Tom Enders based on the ministry's allegations.
In February, Airbus was ordered in Germany to pay $81.25 million in penalties for dubious money flows related to the Austrian aircraft deal. The charges were the latest in a series of rows between Austria and the consortium, which have sparked two parliamentary inquiries and resulted in Airbus boss Tom Enders being investigated by Vienna prosecutors.
In 2020, Airbus agreed to pay $99 million to settle a German investigation into alleged corruption surrounding the Austrian purchase. The new Austrian government has decided to re-look into the previous cabinet's decision to withdraw the Eurofighter from service in 2020.
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Price, delivery, features misrepresentation alleged
Austria is upset with the Eurofighter builders due to allegations of deception and fraud linked to a near 2 billion euro jet order in 2003. The new Austrian government has decided to re-look into the previous cabinet's decision to withdraw the Eurofighter from service in 2020. The defence minister, Mario Kunasek, accused Airbus and the consortium of fraud and wilful deception in connection with the 2003 Eurofighter order. Austrian investigators started a legal probe of the consortium and individuals including Airbus Chief Executive Tom Enders based on the ministry's allegations.
The allegations against the Airbus and the Eurofighter consortium include misleading Austria about the price, delivery and features of the jets. In 2017, Austria complained against Airbus and the Eurofighter consortium alleging they had misled it about the price, deliverability and features of the jets. Austria sued Airbus and the Eurofighter consortium, including Britain's BAE Systems and Italy's Leonardo, in February, alleging deception and fraud.
The Airbus and the consortium have denied the accusations. However, Airbus agreed to pay $99 million to settle a German investigation into alleged corruption surrounding the Austrian purchase earlier this month. Austria plans to end its Eurofighter jet programme early and replace it with a cheaper alternative fleet of aircraft bought or leased from another government.
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Frequently asked questions
Austria is upset with the Eurofighter builders because of a legal battle over the jets with Airbus. Austria sued Airbus and the Eurofighter consortium in February, alleging deception and fraud linked to a near 2 billion euro jet order in 2003.
The legal battle is about suspicions that the government paid €183 million too much for the 15 Eurofighter jets, as kickbacks to middlemen were priced into the contract. Austria's 2017 complaint against Airbus and the Eurofighter consortium alleged they had misled it about the price, deliverability and features of the jets.
The Eurofighter builders have denied the Austrian allegations. However, Airbus agreed to pay $99 million to settle a German investigation into alleged corruption surrounding the Austrian purchase earlier this month.
The legal battle has sparked two parliamentary inquiries and resulted in Airbus boss Tom Enders being investigated by Vienna prosecutors.
In February, Airbus was ordered in Germany to pay $81.25 million in penalties for dubious money flows related to the Austrian aircraft deal.
