German Armed Forces to receive 20 new fighter jets
Germany is set to receive 20 new fighter jets worth €3.75 billion ($4.35 billion).
The Bundestag budget committee approved the corresponding procurement order for new Eurofighters, sources within the lower house’s committee confirmed on Wednesday.
The Ministry of Defence announced that the budget committee had approved 14 procurement projects, with a total value of more than €7 billion. Of this, €3.75 billion is expected to be solely for the acquisition of Eurofighters.
According to Germany’s federal budget regulations, military procurements exceeding €25 million must be approved by the budget committee before contracts are signed, as such investments are subject to political oversight.
The approved projects will be financed through a special fund for the German Armed Forces or Bundeswehr. In addition to the Eurofighters, the projects include heavy armoured medical vehicles, airborne combat and deployment vehicles, radios, operational boats for naval special forces, and anti-tank ammunition for fighter jets and naval guns.
“To effectively deter and defend, we must grow and equip the armed forces with sustained capabilities and technological superiority across all necessary areas,” the ministry stated.
The Bundeswehr operates 138 Eurofighters. According to news website Politico, the 20 new jets are expected to be delivered between 2031 and 2034.
From 2040, the Eurofighter is set to be replaced by the Future Combat Air System (FCAS), a next-generation fighter jet being jointly developed by Germany, France, and Spain. FCAS is envisioned as more than just a fighter jet, operating in conjunction with both armed and unarmed drones. However, the project has faced delays and disagreements.
