Charles Alcock is managing editor of the AIN Media Group, having rejoined the company in 2019. He has been an aviation journalist since 1986, and previously worked for AIN from 1990 to 2017, most recently as editor-in-chief. His main focus is on covering new aviation technology and business models, as well as international news.
Having been raised in the London area, Alcock studied at the University of Manchester in the UK and earned an honors degree in Politics and Modern History. He speaks English and French, and some German.

Managing Editor

Charles Alcock

Austria’s Federal Ministry of Defence and Sports (FMDS) on February 16 filed a criminal complaint with the Vienna Office of Public Prosecutions accusing Airbus Defence and Space and Eurofighter Jagdflugzeug of “willful and fraudulent deception” over the sale of 15 Eurofighters. The Austrian government told a press conference it is seeking damages of up to €1.1 billion ($1.2 billion) relating to an order placed in 2003.


In a hastily issued statement the Airbus group indicated that the allegations are unfounded and said that it will continue to cooperate with the investigation. “As the Austrian Federal Ministry of Defence did not discuss the matter with Airbus prior to the announcement, the company learned about the allegations from the media today and it is lacking substantial information. We cannot see any foundation in particular for the allegations of bad faith and fraud,” the European company said in the written statement.


The sudden initiation of legal action is based on an investigation by a government-appointed investigator called <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/defense/2012-11-16/eads-and-eurofighter-investigated-over-alleged-bribes-secure-typhoon-sale-austria">Task Force Eurofighter established by FMDS in 2012</a> and led by Major General Hans Hamberger. The complaint says that Airbus and its Eurofighter subsidiary deceived the Austrian government over the purchase price for the aircraft and over “the true ability to deliver and true specifications of the Eurofighter interceptor planes.” In particular, the government is alleging that Airbus and Eurofighter did not disclose that almost 10 percent of the €1.9 billion purchase price (€183.4 million) related to the cost of offset transactions.

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