Image: Airbus Press Release
Germany has placed an order for 20 additional Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft, reinforcing its air defence capabilities and long-term commitment to European security, according to Airbus Defence and Space. The contract, announced this week, will see Airbus manufacture the new jets at its final assembly line in Manching, near Munich, with deliveries scheduled between 2031 and 2034.
Strengthening National and NATO Defence
The order marks a significant step in Germany’s ongoing efforts to modernize its Luftwaffe (Air Force) fleet amid growing defence demands across Europe. “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,” said Mike Schoellhorn, CEO of Airbus Defence and Space.
Schoellhorn described the aircraft’s continued evolution as a “technological and operational bridge” toward the next-generation Future Combat Air System (FCAS), a joint Franco-German-Spanish initiative expected to enter service from 2040. The FCAS programme aims to develop a networked family of manned and unmanned systems that will eventually replace the Eurofighter and Dassault Rafale fleets.
Upgraded Capabilities and New Systems
Airbus confirmed that the 20 new Typhoons will feature the latest sensor technology, including the advanced E-Scan electronically scanned array (AESA) radar. In parallel, Germany plans to enhance its existing fleet by integrating Saab’s Arexis electronic warfare suite into both current and new aircraft. The upgrades are designed to strengthen situational awareness, survivability, and electronic attack capabilities — key elements for operations within NATO’s integrated air defence system.
Europe’s Largest Defence Programme
The Eurofighter programme remains Europe’s largest collaborative defence effort, jointly managed by Germany, the United Kingdom, Italy, and Spain. Beyond its strategic value, it plays a major industrial and economic role. Airbus reports that the programme supports more than 100,000 jobs across Europe, including 25,000 in Germany, with around 120 German suppliers contributing to the production chain.
To date, nine nations have ordered over 740 Eurofighter aircraft: Germany, the UK, Italy, Spain, Austria, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait, and Qatar. This makes the Typhoon the most widely produced European combat aircraft currently in service.
Future Outlook
The Luftwaffe plans to operate the Eurofighter well into the 2060s, ensuring the platform remains a cornerstone of German and allied air power for decades. Once the FCAS becomes operational, the Typhoon will continue to serve alongside new systems, both crewed and uncrewed, in a connected combat environment.
The acquisition underscores Germany’s broader rearmament drive following its 2022 “Zeitenwende” (turning point) declaration, which committed €100 billion to revitalizing the Bundeswehr and enhancing NATO interoperability.
More information on the Eurofighter in Germany can be found here.
Image and video material is available for download here.
Source: Airbus Press Release
