The Budget Committee of the Bundestag (German Parliament) has approved the necessary funds for the acquisition of weapons and equipment for the Armed Forces (Bundeswehr), with a particular focus on the purchase of 20 new Eurofighter Tranche 5 aircraft. These will progressively replace the Luftwaffe’s Tornado jets, which currently carry out electronic warfare and reconnaissance missions.

The contract, valued at approximately 3.75 billion euros, also includes the provision of engines, spare parts, and interchangeable components, and will be financed through the regular defense budget. Deliveries are scheduled between 2031 and 2034. According to the official report, the new Eurofighters will be equipped with the new electronically scanned EScan radar, representing a significant upgrade to the Luftwaffe’s reconnaissance and electronic warfare capabilities. With this acquisition, Germany aims to ensure the fulfillment of its NATO commitments.

In parallel, the Bundestag also approved a contract to modernize the Eurofighter flight simulator systems, allocating a budget of 412 million euros, financed through the Bundeswehr’s special fund and the defense budget. This project will allow training and instruction to be adapted to the new capabilities provided by the EScan radar, as well as to future upgrades of the aircraft.

Likewise, approval was granted for an advanced electronic warfare training program (EloKa), aimed at enhancing electronic warfare and the suppression of enemy air defenses. For this purpose, the Eurofighter will integrate the AREXIS self-protection system and specific air-to-ground missiles. The total amount allocated for development is 1.13 billion euros, with an additional 82 million for the acquisition of components and test equipment.

This project continues the announcement made in June 2024 by former Chancellor Olaf Scholz, who stated during the opening of the Berlin Air Show: “We will order 20 more Eurofighters before the end of this legislative period, in addition to the 38 aircraft currently under contract.”

Scholz emphasized that the initiative aims to strengthen both the Air Force and the German and European aerospace industries. In the same vein, Michael Schoellhorn, CEO of Airbus, explained that these additional 20 units “will ensure two more years of fuselage production, keeping the assembly line open until 2032.”

The program adds to the 2020 contract for 38 Eurofighter Tranche 4 aircraft, known as Quadriga —30 single-seaters and 8 twin-seaters—, which are currently in the final assembly phase. With these new acquisitions, Germany seeks to keep its production line active and consolidate the Eurofighter Typhoon as the backbone of its combat fleet, which currently consists of 138 operational aircraft.

Images for illustrative purposes only.

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