List of Panavia Tornado operators

This is a list of operators of the Panavia Tornado multi-role combat aircraft.

Panavia Tornado operators
A Royal Air Force Tornado in flight during Operation Iraqi Freedom

Operators

Main articles: Panavia Tornado and Panavia Tornado ADV

Operators of the Panavia Tornado

As of 2018, 320 operational Tornados are in use.[1] Active units are in bold.

 Italy

Italian Tornado IDS takes on fuel over Afghanistan

Italian Tornado ADV at Gioia del Colle airbase

Formation of German Tornadoes, together with a MiG-29

UK Tornado IDS in formation with an Avro Lancaster

A pair of UK Tornado ADVs operating over the Falkland Islands

Saudi Tornado IDS operating over Doha

Saudi Tornado ADV takes off during Operation Desert Shield

• Aeronautica Militare - Italy procured a total of 100 IDS aircraft, of which 99 were production models and one was a pre-series aircraft converted to production standard. Twelve of these were dual-control versions. Sixteen were subsequently converted to ECR aircraft.[2] [3] In 1993, an agreement was reached with the United Kingdom to lease a total of 24 ADV aircraft, which were operated until 2004.[4][5] As of 2018, Italy operates 70 Tornado IDS and 5 Tornado ECR.[1]
  • 102° Gruppo, 6° Stormo at Ghedi, flying IDS. Active from 1993.
  • 154° Gruppo, 6° Stormo at Ghedi, flying IDS. Active from 1982.
  • 156° Gruppo, 6° Stormo at Ghedi, flying IDS. Active from 1984.
  • 12° Gruppo, 36° Stormo at Gioia del Colle, flying IDS/ADV F.3, now inactive, operational between 1984/1995-2004, replaced by Eurofighter Typhoon.
  • 155° Gruppo E.T.S., 50° Stormo at Piacenza, flying IDS/ECR. Active from 1985. Equipped with ECR from 1998.[6][7]

 Germany

• Luftwaffe - Germany's air force obtained a total of 245 Tornado aircraft, with 210 of them as the IDS version, and 35 ECR.[8]
  • Jagdbombergeschwader 31 "Boelcke" at Nörvenich flying IDS. Converted to Eurofighter Typhoon in 2009.[9]
  • Jagdbombergeschwader 32 at Lagerlechfeld flying ECR (34 aircraft). Disbanded in March 2013, operated between August 1985 – March 2013.
  • Taktisches Luftwaffengeschwader 33 at Büchel flying IDS. Active, 46 aircraft.[10]
  • Jagdbombergeschwader 34 "Allgäu" at Memmingen. Disbanded in 2003.
  • Jagdbombergeschwader 38 "Friesland" at Jever. Disbanded, German Tactical Conversion unit, August 1983 – September 2005.[11][12]
  • Taktisches Luftwaffengeschwader 51 "Immelmann" at Jagel/Schleswig, flying ECR. Active, 25 aircraft.[13]
  • Fliegerisches Ausbildungszentrum der Luftwaffe at Holloman Air Force Base, NM, USA, flying IDS. Operational Conversion Unit, active, flying 14 aircraft.[14]
• Marineflieger - The German Naval Air Arm obtained 112 IDS aircraft for the anti-shipping mission.[8]
  • Marinefliegergeschwader 1 at Jagel, flying IDS. Disbanded, operated between 2 July 1982 – 1 January 1994.[15]
  • Marinefliegergeschwader 2 at Eggebek, flying IDS. Disbanded, operated between 1986–2005.

 United Kingdom

• Royal Air Force - The United Kingdom obtained a total of 228 IDS aircraft; of these, 16 were subsequently converted to undertake the reconnaissance mission, alongside a further 14 new build airframes. Another 28 were converted for the anti-shipping mission.[16] In addition, a total of 165 ADV aircraft were obtained, comprising 18 F.2s and 147 F.3s.[17] The United Kingdom was the first country to completely phase out the Tornado when its last two units were disbanded in March 2019.[18]
  • No. II (Army Co-operation) Squadron at Laarbruch then Marham, flying GR4/4A (12 aircraft). Disbanded, operated between September 1988 – January 2015.[19][20]
  • No. V (Army Co-operation) Squadron at Coningsby, flying F3. Disbanded, operated between 1987 – January 2003[21]
  • No. IX (Bomber) Squadron at Honington, then Brüggen and Marham, flying GR4/4A (~12 aircraft). Disbanded, operated between 6 January 1982 – 14 March 2019.[22]
  • No. XI (Fighter) Squadron at Leeming, flying F3. Disbanded, operated between August 1988 – October 2005.[23]
  • No. 12 Squadron at Lossiemouth, flying GR4/4A (~12 aircraft). Disbanded, operated between September 1993 – 31 March 2014; 9 January 2015 – 14 February 2018.[24]
  • No. XIII Squadron at Honington then Marham, flying GR4/4A (12 aircraft). Disbanded, operated between 1 January 1990 – 13 May 2011.[25]
  • No. 14 Squadron at Brüggen then Lossiemouth, flying GR4/4A (12 aircraft). Disbanded, operated between 1 November 1985 – 1 June 2011.[26]
  • No. XV (Reserve) Squadron at Laarburch, then Honington (became GR4 Operational Conversion Unit) and Lossiemouth, flying GR4 (26 aircraft). Disbanded, operated between 1 September 1983 – 31 March 2017.[27]
  • No. 16 Squadron at Laarbruch, flying GR1. Disbanded, operated between 13 December 1983 – 11 September 1991.[28]
  • No. XVII Squadron at Brüggen, flying GR1. Disbanded, operated between 1 March 1985 – 31 March 1999.[28][29]
  • No. 20 Squadron at Laarbruch, flying GR1. Disbanded, operated between 29 June 1984 – 31 July 1992.[28]
  • No. 23 (Fighter) Squadron at Leeming, flying F3. Disbanded, operated between 1 November 1988 – 28 February 1994.[28]
  • No. XXV (Fighter) Squadron at Leeming, flying F3. Disbanded, operated between July 1989 – 4 April 2008.[30]
  • No. 27 Squadron at Marham, flying GR1. Disbanded and reformed as 12 Squadron, operated between 12 August 1983 – 1 October 1993.[29]
  • No. 29 (Fighter) Squadron at Coningsby, flying F3. Disbanded, operated between April 1987– 31 October 1998.[31]
  • No. 31 Squadron at Brüggen then Marham, flying GR4/4A (~10 aircraft). Disbanded, operated between September 1984 – 14 March 2019.[32]
  • No. 41 (Reserve) Squadron at Coningsby. The Typhoon & Tornado Test and Evaluation Squadron (TES) (2 Aircraft). Disbanded, operated between 1 April 2006 – 16 November 2017
  • No. 43 (Fighter) Squadron at Leuchars, flying F3. Disbanded, operated between September 1989 – 13 July 2009.[33]
  • No. 45 (Reserve) Squadron at Honington, flying GR1. Renumbered XV(R) Sqn, operated between January 1984 – 31 March 1992.[34]
  • No. 56 (Reserve) Squadron at Leuchars, flying F3. Disbanded, operated between 1 August 1992– 22 April 2008.[35]
  • No. 111 (Fighter) Squadron at Leuchars, flying F3. Disbanded, operated between June 1990 – 22 March 2011.[36]
  • No. 617 Squadron at Marham then Lossiemouth, flying GR4/4A (12 aircraft). Disbanded, operated between 1 January 1983 – 28 March 2014.[37]
  • No. 229 Operational Conversion Unit (No 65 (Reserve) Squadron) at Coningsby, flying F2/3. Renumbered 56(R) Sqn, operated between 1984 – 31 July 1992.[38]
  • No. 1435 Flight at Mount Pleasant, flying F3 (4 aircraft). Replaced by Typhoon FGR4, operated between July 1992 – September 2009.[39]
  • F3 Operational Evaluation Unit at Waddington, flying F3. Merged with SAOEU becoming FJWOEU, operated between 1987 – 2004.[40]
  • Fast Jet and Weapons Operational Evaluation Unit (FJWOEU) at Coningsby, flying F3/GR4. Redesignated as 41(R) Sqn, operated between 2004 – April 2006.[41]
  • Strike Attack Operational Evaluation Unit (SAOEU) at Boscombe Down, flying GR1/4. Merged with F3 OEU becoming FJWOEU, operated between 5 October 1987 – 2004.[42]
  • Tri-National Tornado Training Establishment (TTTE) at Cottesmore, flying IDS, GR1. Disbanded, operated between 1 July 1980 – 31 March 1999.[29][43]
  • Tornado Weapons Conversion Unit (TWCU) at Honington, flying GR1. Redesignated 45(R) Sqn, operated between 1 August 1980 – January 1984.[29][43]
  • Tornado Operational Evaluation Unit at Boscombe Down, flying GR1. Redesignated as SAOEU, operated between 1 September 1983 – 5 October 1987.[44]

 Saudi Arabia

• Royal Saudi Air Force - Saudi Arabia initially obtained 72 Tornados, comprising 48 IDS and 24 ADV. A further 48 IDS aircraft were subsequently obtained.[45]
  • 7th Squadron RSAF IDS[46]
  • 29th Squadron RSAF ADV[46] 1989-2006[45]
  • 34th Squadron RSAF ADV[46] 1989-1992[45]
  • 66th Squadron RSAF IDS[46] from 1990, now inactive[45]
  • 75th Squadron RSAF IDS
  • 83rd Squadron RSAF IDS

References

1. "World Air Forces 2018". Flightglobal.com. Retrieved 12 February 2019.
2. "Italy". Panavia. Retrieved 14 February 2018.
3. "Italy awaits Luftwaffe ECR tests" (PDF). Flight International. 137 (4203): 25. 14 February 1990.
4. Sacchetti, Renzo (October 2003). "Italy's British Tornados". AirForces Monthly. Key Publishing. p. 50.
5. The Royal Air Force Handbook. London: Anova Books. 2006. p. 30. ISBN 9780851779522.
6. Lake World Air Power Journal Volume 32, pp. 134–135.
7. Niccoli Air International April 2008, pp. 46–47.
8. "Germany". Panavia. Retrieved 14 February 2018.
9. "The German Air Force receives its first fighter-bomber Eurofighter Typhoons." Eurofighter press release, 16 December 2009 via ''Flight Global Training. Retrieved: 29 November 2011.
10. http://www.flugrevue.de/militaerluftfahrt/luftwaffe/jagdbombergeschwader-33-der-luftwaffe-in-buechel/557708
11. Lake World Air Power Journal Volume 32, p. 131.
12. List Air International May 2006, p. 51.
13. http://www.flugrevue.de/militaerluftfahrt/luftwaffe/die-fliegenden-verbaende-der-luftwaffe-taktisches-luftwaffengeschwader-51-immelmann-ehemals-ag-51/476900?seite=10
14. http://www.holloman.af.mil/library/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=4364
15. Lake World Air Power Journal Volume 32, p. 132.
16. "Panavia Tornado IDS". Aeroflight. Retrieved 14 February 2018.
17. Aeroguide 21 1988, p. 9.
18. "Tornado Squadrons Disbandment Parade". RAF. 14 March 2019. Retrieved 14 March 2019.
19. http://www.raf.mod.uk/organisation/2squadron.cfm
20. "2 Squadron." Royal Air Force. Retrieved: 9 April 2011.
21. "5 Squadron." Royal Air Force, Retrieved: 5 December 2011.
22. "9 Squadron." Royal Air Force, Retrieved: 5 December 2011.
23. "11 Squadron." Archived 6 October 2016 at the Wayback Machine Royal Air Force, Retrieved: 5 December 2011.
24. "12 Squadron." Archived 6 December 2011 at the Wayback Machine Royal Air Force, Retrieved: 5 December 2011.
25. "No XIII Squadron Disbandment – RAF Marham". Royal Air Force. 13 May 2011. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 11 June 2011.
26. "14 Squadron." Archived 2 February 2017 at the Wayback Machine Royal Air Force, Retrieved: 5 December 2011.
27. "15 Squadron" Archived 14 July 2008 at the Wayback Machine. Royal Air Force. Retrieved 29 December 2010.
28. Lake World Air Power Journal Volume 32, p. 122.
29. Lake Air International April 2008, p. 26.
30. "25 Squadron." Royal Air Force, Retrieved: 5 December 2011.
31. "29 Squadron." Royal Air Force, Retrieved: 5 December 2011.
32. "31 Squadron." Archived 26 June 2015 at the Wayback Machine Royal Air Force, Retrieved: 5 December 2011.
33. Urquhart, Frank (15 April 2009). "Historic squadron is disbanded – but Fighting Cocks may fly again". The Scotsman.
34. Royal Air Force Salute - Tornado. Stamford: Key Publishing Ltd. 2019. p. 27.
35. "56 Squadron." Archived 10 September 2015 at the Wayback Machine Royal Air Force, Retrieved: 5 December 2011.
36. "111 Squadron." Archived 30 June 2016 at the Wayback Machine Royal Air Force, Retrieved: 5 December 2011.
37. "617 Squadron." Archived 14 February 2014 at the Wayback Machine Royal Air Force. Retrieved: 5 December 2011.
38. Lake World Air Power Journal Volume 32, p. 125.
39. "Typhoons arrive in Falklands." Archived 23 February 2010 at the Wayback Machine Falklands.gov, September 2009.
40. Royal Air Force Salute - Tornado. Stamford: Key Publishing Ltd. 2019. p. 29.
41. Royal Air Force Salute - Tornado. Stamford: Key Publishing Ltd. 2019. p. 28.
42. Royal Air Force Salute - Tornado. Stamford: Key Publishing Ltd. 2019. p. 28.
43. Lake World Air Power Journal Volume 32, p. 126.
44. Royal Air Force Salute - Tornado. Stamford: Key Publishing Ltd. 2019. p. 29.
45. "Kingdom of Saudi Arabia". Panavia. Retrieved 14 February 2018.
46. Lake World Air Power Journal Volume 32, p. 137.

• Lake, Jon. "Aircraft of the RAF: Part 1 – Panavia Tornado". Air International, Vol. 74, No. 4, April 2008, pp. 24–29. ISSN 0306-5634.
• Lake, Jon. "Tornado Variant Briefing: Part III: Tornado Operators". World Air Power Journal, Volume 32, Spring 1998, pp. 118–137. London: Aerospace Publishing. ISBN 1-86184-006-3. ISSN 0959-7050.
• List, Friedrich. "German Air Arms Review". Air International, Vol. 70, No. 5, May 2006, pp. 50–57. ISSN 0306-5634.

External links

• Tornado (BAe) on Fas.org
• Panavia Tornado IDS Attack Bomber on Aerospaceweb.org
• Panavia Tornado on Tornado-data.com
• List of all active German Tornados
• German IDS Tornado 44+97 at the Deutsches Museum subsidiary Flugwerft Oberschleißheim, Germany (DE)