Germany has finalized a Tranche 5 contract for 20 additional Eurofighter jets to bolster air defence and NATO readiness, with final assembly at Airbus’s Manching line near Munich and deliveries running from 2031 to 2034. The package adds advanced sensors and electronic-warfare upgrades while supporting a long-term fleet transition from aging Tornados.

Contract And Timeline

The agreement follows budget-committee approval and locks in production at Manching, ensuring a steady line from 2031 through 2034 to phase new aircraft into service smoothly. Officials said the purchase “strengthens [Germany’s] ability to conduct surveillance of its airspace and secure NATO’s skies,” while preserving scheduling certainty for industry.

Upgrades And EK Variant

The Tranche 5 aircraft will be fitted with the ECRS Mk1 active electronically scanned array radar and the Saab Arexis suite to improve awareness, survivability, and electronic-attack options. In parallel, Germany is advancing the dedicated “EK” electronic-combat configuration, transferring Tornado ECR roles to Eurofighter with SEAD weapons and NATO certification in the early 2030s.

Industrial Footprint And NATO Role

Final assembly in Bavaria anchors high-skill jobs and supply-chain continuity across more than a hundred German suppliers tied to the pan-European programme. “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 Airbus Defence and Space CEO Mike Schoellhorn.

Fleet Plans And FCAS

Tranche 5 complements the ongoing Project Quadriga batch and extends Eurofighter service in Germany well into the 2060s as the force bridges toward the next-generation Future Combat Air System from around 2040. NETMA leadership described the signature as the result of close work among nations and industry to keep Europe’s airpower production base resilient.