A significant procurement initiative is underway to bolster Germany’s air defense capabilities. According to a draft document prepared for the parliamentary budget committee and reported by “Politico”, the German armed forces, known as the Bundeswehr, is set to acquire 20 new Eurofighter combat jets.
The total value of this order is estimated at €3.75 billion, encompassing the aircraft themselves, 52 engines and associated spare parts. The parliamentary budget committee is expected to approve the acquisition this week. Deliveries are planned over a multi-year period, with the first aircraft arriving in 2031 and the final five slated for delivery in 2034.
This represents the fifth tranche of Eurofighter procurement for Germany. The commitment follows an announcement made in 2024 by then-Chancellor Olaf Scholz regarding the purchase of these aircraft. Prior to this, Airbus had advocated for orders potentially reaching up to 50 Eurofighters to prevent production disruptions. The German government has, however, opted to limit the current order to 20 units.
The acquisition aims to bridge the gap until 2040, when the Franco-German-Spanish Future Combat Air System (FCAS) is projected to be deployed. The development of the FCAS program currently faces uncertainties. The Bundeswehr currently operates a fleet of 138 Eurofighters, which are deployed for tasks including securing airspace along NATO’s eastern flank.