Germany has formally signed a contract for 20 new Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft in a deal that reinforces its long-term commitment to European air power and the continent’s defence industrial base.
The agreement was concluded at Airbus’s final assembly site in Manching, southern Germany, between the leaders of Eurofighter and the NATO Eurofighter and Tornado Management Agency (NETMA).
The new aircraft, scheduled for delivery between 2031 and 2034, will replace a portion of the German Air Force’s ageing Panavia Tornado fleet as it is phased out of service. This latest order adds to the 38 Eurofighters already procured under Germany’s Project Quadriga, representing a continuing effort to modernise the Luftwaffe’s fast-jet capability.
Jorge Tamarit-Degenhardt, Chief Executive of Eurofighter, said the contract “is excellent news for the Eurofighter programme and our industrial partners, as the programme closes in on the historic milestone of one million flying hours.” He added that the order “underlines Germany’s long-term commitment to sovereign European air power,” ensuring production continuity, preserving critical skills across Europe’s defence supply chain, and reinforcing the continent’s ability to defend itself for decades to come. With a projected service life extending well beyond 2060, Tamarit-Degenhardt said the aircraft’s advanced technical capabilities would “allow full integration into Europe’s future air combat environment.”
Airbus will equip the new Tranche 5 Eurofighters with the latest sensors, including the E-Scan radar, a major enhancement that will improve detection, targeting, and electronic warfare performance. In parallel, Airbus will integrate Saab’s Arexis electronic warfare suite across the German fleet, further enhancing the aircraft’s survivability and versatility in contested airspace.
Air Vice Marshal Simon Ellard (ret.), General Manager of NETMA, described the contract signing as “a proud moment” that followed extensive collaboration between nations and industry partners.
“The new order underscores Germany’s commitment to the Eurofighter programme and will ensure NATO remains agile and dominant in the air domain,” he said. “The 20 Tranche 5 jets and 52 EJ200 engines will safeguard German and European skies and will sustain and strengthen the continent’s defence industry for decades.”
Germany’s purchase follows new contracts signed by Spain for 25 Eurofighters and Italy for 24 at the end of 2024, continuing a pattern of renewed European investment in the aircraft. The Eurofighter programme, the largest collaborative defence effort in Europe, supports more than 100,000 jobs across 400 companies.
What George’s piece doesn’t say, is these 20 new Tranche 5 Typhoons will be the electronic attack versions, i.e. the Eurofighter EK, to replace the Tornado ECRs. Germany are also converting 15 legacy Typhoons to the same standard.
An interesting piece is the quote: “In parallel, Airbus will integrate Saab’s Arexis electronic warfare suite across the German fleet, further enhancing the aircraft’s survivability and versatility in contested airspace.” How does the EuroDAS Praetorian fit into this, which is in the process of being upgraded? Arexis is used on the Gripen E/F, but will also incorporate Spear-EW as an expendable decoy. I can’t remember if this is a podded add-on or is built in to the Gripen. But in trials, has proven to very good, even spoofing a few F35s.
The 35 typhoon EKs will give Germany a very good electronic attack capability, on top of the F35s they are getting.
The F35s are primarily fore nuclear strike for the US weapons sharing. Like the UK. There is no mention of them getting Radar MK3…
Can someone explain if UK industry benefit from this?
Yes, parts will be manufactured here and sent to Germany.
Yes. 37% of all Typhoons are built in the UK
Compared to the 15% ish of the F35 which is so much better.
Do you know how much of the Gripen is UK built, by value?
A bit of extra work coming this way too then. Fingers crossed we order a few ourselves soon.
Great that we have to rely on our other partners in the programme to keep our factories going. Or do I mean painful.
…. mind you I guess in their own way it means they are (indirectly) contributing towards Tempest which is very kind of them.
Pity there is no UK order in the pipeline
Agreed. At least these European orders will keep BAE factories going in short term
Hard to fathom why more UK orders have not been placed yet, even if the government is convinced they will win further exports from Turkey, Saudi and Qatar the UK.
Are the Tranche 2 and 3 airframes currently in UK service all going to be updated to this Tranche 4 standards with upgraded radar, cockpit displays and defensive aids?
Even some additional conversion upgrades of existing UK frames. Seems an opportune time with Italy, Germany and Spain adding to their Typhoon fleets while the UK waits for more F35Bs, F35As and Tempest.
So that’s 58 new Typhoons, and 35 F-35s, ordered in recent years for Germany. 93 new airframes.
Meanwhile the UK has just swapped 12 F35Bs for 12 cheaper F35As… I wasn’t always a cynic, but it’s hard not to be these days…
How about another 30 Typhoons for the RAF. If they are getting short of parking space at Lossie and Coningsby then expand Leeming
Sounds like good old common sense. Especially if Tempest is up to 10 years away and F35B weaponry and numbers are limited. And maybe some more E7s. Question, why our allies adding to their fleet now and the UK isnt?