Jorge Tamarit Degenhardt was announced on 7 January 2024 as the new CEO at Eurofighter.
Degenhardt, a dual Spanish/German national, joins Eurofighter from Airbus Defence & Space, where he has spent the past two decades rising through the company’s management to hold several international executive roles.
Degenhardt’s appointment follows the Eurofighter three-year partner-company rotation policy. He succeeds Giancarlo Mezzanatto, who took up the Eurofighter CEO post on 1 May 2023 and now returns to Leonardo.
“We are delighted to welcome Jorge to Eurofighter as the new Chief Executive Officer,” stated Richard Hamilton, chairman of the Eurofighter Supervisory Board, in a company press release. “We also offer sincere thanks to Giancarlo Mezzanatto for his dedication and commitment to Eurofighter during his term as CEO. Giancarlo’s leadership brought many successes to the programme and we wish him the very best on his return to Leonardo.”
Degenhardt has extensive Eurofighter experience, having recently been the programme head for Spain and leading all activities related to the Airbus contribution within the Eurofighter consortium. He also led the Airbus C295 India Programme, “where he oversaw the largest C295 order in history while establishing India’s first private-sector aerospace and defence end-to-end production system” Eurofighter noted.
“I’m extremely proud to join and lead Eurofighter – without question one of the world’s leading weapons systems – at this critical time for European security and sovereignty,” Degenhardt stated on the news of his appointment. “I look forward to working with all our stakeholders to ensure that the Eurofighter programme continues its impressive track record on the order side, and at the same time delivers the state-of-the-art capabilities our air forces need in today’s and future combat.”
Degenhardt will be accompanied on the Eurofighter management board by Andy Kendall, Chief Operating Officer Programmes (BAE Systems); Cristiano Montrucchio, Chief Operating Officer Capabilities, Sustainment and Future Enhancement (Leonardo); Thomas Reinartz, Chief Financial and Commercial Officer (Airbus Defence & Space); Giammarco Quaglia, Director Business Support; and Stephan Miegel, Transition Director.
