Germany has signed a contract for additional Meteor beyond-visual-range air-to-air missiles to support the Bundeswehr’s combat aircraft.
MBDA said the order was placed through the Meteor Integrated Joint Programme Office on behalf of Germany’s Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support, continuing Berlin’s participation in the long-running multinational missile programme.
The latest contract follows earlier German orders for Meteor and comes after what MBDA described as a year of further testing and investment activity across the programme in 2025. Eric Béranger, Chief Executive Officer of MBDA, said the decision reflected sustained confidence in the missile and the collaborative model behind it.
“METEOR is a defining example of the strength of multinational collaboration in delivering world-leading defence capabilities,” he said. “This latest contract from Germany, one of the missile’s development partners, reflects continued confidence in a programme that unites cutting-edge technologies from six European nations, through a unique partnership led by MBDA, to deliver a common decisive military capability.”
He added: “In 2025, we saw another successful year for METEOR, as nations continued to invest in its air dominance and secure the sovereignty of their airspaces.”
Meteor is developed through a European consortium led by MBDA, with Germany, the United Kingdom, France, Italy, Spain and Sweden participating in the programme. The missile uses a solid-fuel, variable-flow ducted rocket motor manufactured in Germany by MBDA subsidiary Bayern-Chemie.
According to the company, the ramjet propulsion system allows Meteor to maintain thrust throughout its flight, contributing to what it describes as a larger “no escape zone” compared with many conventional air-to-air missiles. The missile is currently integrated on several frontline combat aircraft types, including Typhoon, Rafale and Gripen, and is also planned for use on South Korea’s KF-21 Boramae.
MBDA said 2025 also saw continued progress on Meteor integration with the F-35 programme. This included a first flight on the F-35B variant and ground testing ahead of a first flight on the F-35A. In November 2025, the Brazilian Air Force confirmed a successful test firing of Meteor from its F-39E Gripen fighters, which the company said demonstrated the missile’s contribution to national air defence capabilities.
“Germany orders” and we do nothing, it sort of sounds familiar ! I just hope they remember which direction to point their weapons 🤔
Seems there is only one NATO member we have to worry about which way their missiles are pointing.
Germany is rapidly becoming our best ally
Actually we did pretty well pre 1904 dealing with Germany and Prussia as our principal ally. That won us the war of Spanish succession, the seven years war and the napoleonic wars.
That’s 3 to 2 for Germany 😀
The KGL used to be one of the best units of the British Army. After the BAOR maybe it’s time for Germany to institute the EBL (Englische Bundes Legion)
Thing is that the security architecture of Europe must be rebuild. A group of Benelux, scandinavians, UK, France and Germany is probably the best starting point.