On Wednesday, June 5, 2024, the first day of the ILA Berlin Air Show scheduled to run until June 9, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz announced a plan to purchase 20 additional Eurofighter Typhoon multirole aircraft, which will join the 38 previously ordered under the Quadriga program.
Photo: Eurofighter GmbH
Chancellor Scholz said: “We will order 20 more Eurofighters before the end of this legislative session (scheduled for autumn 2025) — in addition to the 38 aircraft currently in the pipeline.”
He added that the order will ensure the continuation of production and jobs for Airbus Defence and Space and its suppliers in the Eurofighter program.
Eurofighter CEO Giancarlo Mezzanatto said: “Today’s announcement from the German government is great news for the Eurofighter programme and our industry partners. It underlines Germany’s long-term commitment to the Eurofighter. Eurofighter Typhoon will be the backbone of Europe’s defence for decades to come.”
On November 11, 2020, the European company Airbus Defence and Space announced the signing of a contract with the German Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology, and In-Service Support (BAAINBw) for the delivery of 38 Eurofighter Typhoon Tranche 4 aircraft to the country’s air force (Luftwaffe) under the Quadriga project. Among them, according to the Bundestag’s decision from November last year, 15 will be in the Eurofighter EK electronic warfare version, which will reach operational readiness in 2030.
Currently, the Luftwaffe has a total of 133 Typhoons (three aircraft suffered accidents: two crashed and ere written off on June 24, 2019, and one was damaged on June 23, 2014, but was restored to service).
Besides Germany, Spain has also decided to purchase 20 Typhoons as part of the Halcón program (where they are designated as C.16 Tifón). Additionally, on May 14 of this year, it was reported that BAE Systems, a co-producer in the Eurofighter program, confirmed an ongoing procedure regarding Italy’s purchase of an additional 24 Typhoon aircraft. This would bring the total order portfolio from these three countries to 102 aircraft. Meanwhile, the United Kingdom will retire 20-25 Typhoon Tranche 1 aircraft by 2025 but has not announced any new purchases (instead, it will buy 27 additional F-35B aircraft, increasing its fleet to 74 units).
On January 8 of this year, the British newspaper Financial Times reported that after six years of deadlock, the German authorities had unblocked the sale of an additional 48 Eurofighter Typhoon multirole aircraft to Saudi Arabia. However, there has been no confirmation of these reports so far. Turkey has also recently expressed interest (40 units). Additionally, Typhoons have been exported to Austria, Kuwait, Oman, and Qatar.
Eurofighter welcomes Germany announcement to expand Eurofighter Fleet! 🚀
Chancellor Olaf Scholz has announced the purchase of 20 additional Eurofighter jets, reinforcing Germany’s commitment to NATO and bolstering European defence capabilities.
“Today’s announcement from the… pic.twitter.com/rBgVNcSbLq
— Eurofighter Typhoon (@eurofighter) June 5, 2024
📢 Just announced at #ILA24: Chancellor Olaf Scholz said that Germany will order 20 Eurofighters for @team_luftwaffe in the current legislative period, adding to the 38 aircraft from the Quadriga contract that are already being produced. We welcome this decision as an important… pic.twitter.com/CM38LDWfTH
— Airbus Defence (@AirbusDefence) June 5, 2024
Wir wollen eine starke Luft- und Raumfahrtbranche in Deutschland und Europa. Dazu gehört Planungssicherheit in der Verteidigungsindustrie. Deshalb sorgen wir für verlässliche Aufträge – auch mit der Bestellung von 20 weiteren Eurofightern noch in dieser Legislaturperiode. #ILA24 pic.twitter.com/uyXSvdTSYu
— Bundeskanzler Olaf Scholz (@Bundeskanzler) June 5, 2024