Germany approves Eurofighter Tranche 5 buy and upgrade to Eurofighter EK standard

A Eurofighter Tranche 5 seen with representative weapons at ILA 2024 in Berlin. Germany has now approved the procurement of 20 such aircraft that was announced at the event, as well as their upgrade to the Eurofighter EK standard. (Janes/Gareth Jennings)

Germany has approved the procurement of additional Eurofighter combat aircraft, which it will upgrade to the Eurofighter Elektronischer Kampf (EK) electronic attack standard.

On 8 October the Bundestag approved the order for 20 newbuild Tranche 5 Eurofighters that was first announced at the ILA Airshow in June 2024, at the same time upgrading them to the Eurofighter EK configuration for the suppression of enemy air defences/destruction of enemy air defences (SEAD/DEAD) role.

“The Budget Committee of the German Bundestag approved the procurement of further Eurofighters of Tranche 5 including engines as well as spare and replacement parts,” the Bundeswehr said, adding, “A contract for the further capability of the Eurofighter for electronic warfare was approved. Specifically, this is about the suppression of ground-based air defence.”

The order for 20 newbuild Tranche 5 aircraft will be valued at approximately EUR3.75 billion (USD4.35 billion), to be financed from the regular defence budget rather than the EUR100 billion Söndervermögen (special fund) uplift following Russia's February 2022 invasion of Ukraine. The newbuild aircraft are to be delivered from 2031 to 2034.