News & Events

    Happy Birthday Tornado - 50th Anniversary of the Tornado 1st Flight in 2024

    2024 is a very special year for Panavia and for the Tornado Aircraft: 50 years ago, on 14th August 1974, the first Tornado prototype with its iconic red-white colour scheme took off from Manching, Germany.

    Over the last 5 decades, the Tornado has written its own success story: between 1979 and 1998 almost 1000 Tornados were produced and delivered to the Air Forces of Germany, Italy, United Kingdom and Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. It remains Europe's largest military aircraft collaboration programme, which has advanced and strengthened the political and economic integration of Europe.
    The Multi-Role Combat Aircraft Tornado also has an impressive combat history, operating in almost all main military missions since the 1990s.
    Panavia wishes you all a successful 2024 and a very happy special birthday to the Tornado!