Germany has signed a contract for the acquisition of 20 additional Eurofighter aircraft, reinforcing its air defense and NATO commitments. Airbus will assemble the multirole fighters at its facility in Manching, near Munich, with deliveries scheduled to begin in 2031 and conclude by 2034.
Mike Schoellhorn, CEO of Airbus Defence and Space, said the new order demonstrates the continued relevance of the Eurofighter for Germany’s air defense and NATO operations. “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,” he said. “With these additional Eurofighters, Germany strengthens its ability to conduct surveillance of its airspace and secure NATO’s skies.”
The newly ordered jets will feature advanced sensors, including the electronic E-Scan radar, and will be equipped with Saab’s Arexis electronic warfare suite. The integration of these systems is expected to enhance situational awareness and resilience against electronic threats.
The Eurofighter program, jointly developed by Germany, Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom, is Europe’s largest defense collaboration. It supports over 100,000 jobs across the continent, with approximately 25,000 in Germany and more than 120 local suppliers participating in production. To date, over 740 Eurofighters have been ordered by nine countries, including Germany, the UK, Italy, Spain, Austria, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait and Qatar.
The aircraft is expected to remain operational with the German Air Force until the 2060s. Within the framework of the FCAS program, slated for service from 2040, Eurofighters will operate alongside both manned and unmanned systems to ensure interoperability and mission continuity.