Eurofighter and NETMA (NATO Eurofighter and Tornado Management Agency) have signed yesterday the contract for the acquisition of 20 Eurofighter TYPHOONs and 52 EJ-200 engines for the German Air Force. Deliveries are scheduled between 2031 and 2034.

The previous week, the German Budget Committee had approved the launch of several major defence programmes, with the most expensive among them being related precisely to the Eurofighter TYPHOON.

In particular, the so-called “Tranche 5” order has received its final approval — covering 20 additional newly built TYPHOONs, which will complement the 38 aircraft already on order under the QUADRIGA programme (these latter meant to replace Tranche 1 TYPHOONs). The contract was formally signed yesterday.

The 20 new TYPHOONs are being acquired to replace part of the 85-strong TORNADO fleet and, together with the 35 F-35As already on order, will ensure the replacement of a large portion of the line, though not yet its entirety.

The total cost of the new procurement is estimated at €3.75 billion. The aircraft will be delivered equipped with the AESA CAPTOR-E/ECRS Mk-1 radar, selected by Germany and Spain and currently undergoing development and testing, with the next flight campaign to take place on a modified Airbus A320 flying testbed. According to Airbus, the aircraft will also feature the AREXIS electronic self-protection suite from Saab, which is expected to be retrofitted as well on existing TYPHOONs in service. A dedicated variant of AREXIS (with EW features), as known, will also equip the Electronic Warfare Eurofighter EK version. The German TYPHOONs will therefore all be retrofitted with Saab’s AREXIS electronic self-protection suite, replacing the current DASS PRAETORIAN.

On the new TYPHOONs — as well as on the Tranche 3 and 2 aircraft already in service — integration of the AGM-88E AARGM, and upgrades to radios, avionics, and cockpit interfaces will be developed through the multinational Phase 4 Enhancement (P4E) upgrade programme, currently being defined among the partner nations and expected to start soon.

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