Germany Seeks Approval for Major Defense Purchases, Including Eurofighters and Taurus Missile Upgrade
BERLIN – The German government is preparing too request parliamentary approval for approximately 80 defense projects before the end of the year, a document reviewed by Reuters reveals. key among these are plans to acquire additional Eurofighter jets and modernize the Taurus cruise missile system, signaling a continued investment in bolstering Germany’s military capabilities.
The list of 81 projects, each exceeding a €25 million ($29 million) threshold, requires review by the parliament’s budget committee. A notable component of the planned acquisitions is the “Tranche 5” order of Eurofighter jets, which former Chancellor Olaf Scholz previously indicated would include 20 aircraft manufactured by Airbus.
Alongside the Eurofighter purchase, Germany intends to upgrade its existing Taurus cruise missile arsenal. This includes establishing a production line for the next-generation Taurus NEO,an advanced version of the weapon system. Defense Minister boris Pistorius previously announced a goal to develop this advanced version and procure 600 units.
Currently, the German military possesses 600 of the existing Taurus missiles, capable of reaching targets over 500 kilometers (311 miles) when launched from aircraft like the Tornado, F-15, and F/A-18. Developed by the European defense company MBDA, the Taurus is designed to strike high-value targets deep within enemy territory, including command centers, ammunition depots, and critical infrastructure like airfields and bridges.
The broader list also encompasses the acquisition of Patriot and IRIS-T SLM missile systems, Puma infantry fighting vehicles, Boxer armored personnel carriers, and Heron TP drones, among other defense assets.
This move comes after Germany temporarily halted arms exports to Israel in August, specifically those potentially used in the Gaza Strip, due to concerns over the planned expansion of Israeli operations in the region.
The document does not detail the specific quantities of each system to be purchased,the associated costs,or the full list of manufacturers involved.($1 = 0.8542 euros)
Reporting by sabine Siebold, Writing by Rachel More, Editing by Ludwig Burger and Louise Heavens