Germany signs for additional Eurofighters, Eurofighter EK upgrade

A Luftwaffe Eurofighter on display at the ILA 2024 Airshow in Berlin. Germany has now ordered a further 20 aircraft of the latest Tranche 5 standard, as well as electronic warfare upgrades to these and other airframes. (Janes/Gareth Jennings)

Germany has signed for the procurement of additional Eurofighter combat aircraft and upgrades to the Eurofighter Elektronischer Kampf (EK) electronic attack standard.

Representatives from the Eurofighter consortium and the NATO Eurofighter and Tornado Management Agency (NETMA) signed a contract with the German government for the delivery of 20 Tranche 5 aircraft between 2031 and 2034, 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.

“This new order is further proof of the Eurofighter's importance to the German Air Force and the strategic role it plays in our country's air defence and NATO capabilities,” Mike Schoellhorn, CEO of Airbus Defence and Space, said at the signing ceremony on 15 October, adding, “With these additional Eurofighters, Germany strengthens its ability to conduct surveillance of its airspace and secure NATO's skies.”

News of the award came just days after the procurement was approved by the Budget Committee of the German Bundestag on 8 October. While no contract value was disclosed, the committee said the 20 newbuild aircraft would cost approximately EUR3.75 billion (USD4.35 billion), while the Eurofighter EK upgrade was valued at EUR1.21 billion.