Germany has announced the purchase of an additional 20 Eurofighter jets from Airbus. Chancellor Olaf Scholz revealed this plan during his speech at the International Air Show in Berlin on June 5, 2024. This recent acquisition is part of a broader initiative to modernize and expand Germany’s military assets in response to the increasing geopolitical tensions, especially following Russia’s large-scale invasion of Ukraine.
The Chancellor confirmed that the order for the new jets would be placed before the upcoming general elections in Germany, scheduled for 2025. These aircraft will complement the 38 Eurofighters already ordered in 2020, which are intended to replace Germany’s aging fleet of Tornado jets. Currently, the German Air Force operates 138 Eurofighters, as stated on its official website.
This renewed commitment follows an increase in Germany’s defense spending, including a special budget of 100 billion euros (approximately $109 billion). This budget was announced by Scholz in direct response to the security challenges posed by the Ukrainian crisis. Historically criticized by NATO allies, including the United States, for insufficient defense spending, Germany under Scholz’s leadership has committed to meeting NATO’s annual defense spending target of 2% of GDP starting in 2024. In addition to strengthening national defense, Scholz emphasized Germany’s commitment to supporting the Eurofighter program internationally, suggesting potential export opportunities for the aircraft. He also assured continuous operations at Airbus’s Eurofighter production facility in Manching, Bavaria, signaling a firm commitment to maintaining and expanding the country’s arms production capabilities.