The German Bundestag has approved seven major defense procurement programs aimed at bolstering both national defense and NATO interoperability, including a €3.75-billion ($4.36 billion) contract for 20 Tranche 5 Eurofighter aircraft.
These new jets will replace the Luftwaffe’s aging Tornado ECR fleet in suppression of enemy air defenses (SEAD) missions and will feature E-Scan Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radars for enhanced situational awareness and targeting precision.
Funded through the regular defense budget, the package includes aircraft engines, spare parts, and replacement components, with deliveries scheduled between 2031 and 2034.
In addition, Germany has allocated €412 million ($480 million) to modernize flight and tactics simulators, improving pilot training and license retention programs. This funding will come from both the Bundeswehr special fund and the annual defense budget.
