Germany orders 20 new Eurofighters to bolster air superiority and future capabilities

Germany has ordered 20 new Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft from Airbus to reinforce its air defence and NATO commitments. The deal, signed at Airbus’s Manching facility near Munich, underscores the Eurofighter’s role as the backbone of the German Air Force and a bridge to the next-generation Future Combat Air System (FCAS). Deliveries will take place between 2031 and 2034.

“These new aircraft reaffirm the Eurofighter’s vital importance to Germany’s air defence and NATO readiness,” said Mike Schoellhorn, CEO of Airbus Defence and Space. “They will also ensure a smooth transition to the Future Combat Air System while strengthening Germany’s surveillance and airspace protection capabilities.”

The aircraft will be equipped with advanced sensors and electronic warfare systems, including the new E-Scan radar and Saab’s Arexis electronic warfare suite, enhancing detection and survivability in contested environments.

The Eurofighter programme, Europe’s largest defence collaboration, involves Germany, Italy, Spain and the UK, supporting over 100,000 jobs across Europe, including 25,000 in Germany and 120 German suppliers.

To date, nine nations have ordered more than 740 Eurofighters, making it Europe’s most successful fighter aircraft in production. The type is expected to remain in Luftwaffe service until the 2060s, operating in networked formations alongside crewed and uncrewed aircraft within the FCAS ecosystem.