Germany is strengthening its defence capabilities with the purchase of 20 new Eurofighters.
Under the contract, Airbus will produce the multi-role combat aircraft at its final assembly line in Manching, near Munich in Germany. The first aircraft is scheduled for delivery to the German Air Force in 2031, the last in 2034.
“This new order is further proof of the Eurofighter’s importance to the German Air Force and the strategic role it plays in our country’s air defence and NATO capabilities,” said Mike Schoellhorn, CEO of Airbus Defence and Space. “The continued evolution of the Eurofighter serves as an essential technological and operational bridge to a Future Combat Air System (FCAS), ensuring a seamless transition to the next generation of air power.
“With these additional Eurofighters, Germany strengthens its ability to conduct surveillance of its airspace and secure NATO’s skies, supporting Germany in its role as a reliable partner for collective security.”
Airbus will equip the 20 Eurofighters with the latest sensors. This includes new electronic E-Scan radar. In parallel, Airbus will add electronic warfare capabilities to the German Eurofighter fleet by integrating the Arexis sensor suite, developed by Sweden’s Saab, in existing and newly built aircraft. These significant technological upgrades will further enhance the already broad operational capabilities of German Air Force Eurofighters.
As the largest European defence programme, involving Germany, Italy, Spain and the UK, the Eurofighter is not only a guarantor of security. It is also a driver of growth and employment. The Eurofighter secures more than 100,000 jobs in Europe, 25,000 of them in Germany alone. 120 German suppliers are involved in the programme.
With this new contract, nine countries have ordered more than 740 Eurofighters, namely Germany, Italy, Spain, the United Kingdom, Austria, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait and Qatar – making the Eurofighter the most successful European fighter jet programme in production.
The Eurofighter is planned to remain in service with the German Air Force until the 2060s. In the FCAS, which is scheduled to be operational from 2040, the Eurofighter will also operate networked with current and future crewed and uncrewed aircraft – and continue to help pilots fulfil their missions.
