List of active equipment of the German Air Force

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This list intends to give an accurate detail list of the equipment currently fielded by the German Air Force.

Current fleet of the German Air Force

List of aeroplanes of the Luftwaffe

Aircraft Variant Image Origin Type In service Notes
Combat aircraft
Eurofighter Typhoon T1  Germany
 Italy
 Spain
 United Kingdom		 Interceptor 31 [1]
Status: 138 in service (as of 2025)[1]
  • 33 Eurofighter T1 ordered,[2]
    2 retired
  • 79 Eurofighter T2 ordered,[2]
    2 lost,[3][4]
    1 retired[5]
  • 31 Eurofighter T3A ordered[2]
T2 Swingrole jet fighter 76
T3A Swingrole jet fighter 31
Panavia Tornado IDS  Germany
 Italy
 United Kingdom		 Multirole jet fighter,
nuclear deterrent bomber		 63 [6]
Special mission aircraft
Panavia Tornado ECR  Germany
 Italy
 United Kingdom		 SEAD,
ECR
(Suppression of enemy air defences, electronic combat reconnaissance)		 21 [6]
Military Transport / Aerial refueling
Airbus A400M A400M  Spain
 Belgium
 France
 Germany
 Turkey
 United Kingdom		 Tactical airlifter,
strategic airlifter,
aerial refueling		 52 [7][8][9]
A total of 53 A400M are on order.[6]
Equipment of the A400M of the Bundeswehr:
  • at least 4 refuelling kits[10]
  • 23 DIRCM (Directed Infrared Counter Measures) systems ordered in June 2025[11][12]
Lockheed Martin C-130 Super Hercules C-130J-30  United States Tactical airlifter 3 [6][13]
KC-130J Tactical airlifter,
aerial refueling		 3 [6][14]
Trainer aircraft
Panavia Tornado IDS trainer  Germany
 Italy
 United Kingdom		 Conversion trainer 2 [6]
Northrop T-38 T-38C  United States Advanced training 46 [15]
Based at Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas.
Grob G 120 G 120TP  Germany Ab initio trainer 2 [6]

List of helicopters of the Luftwaffe

Aircraft Variant Image Origin Type In service Notes
Airbus Helicopters H145 EC645 T2 LUH SOF  Germany Light utility 16 [16]
Sikorsky CH-53 CH-53G,
CH-53GA,
CH-53GS		  United States
 Germany (under licence)		 Heavy transport helicopter 81 [6][17]
First delivered in 1972, 112 aircraft received in total.[18]
To be replaced with 60 CH-47F Block II (SR AAR).[19]

List of military aircraft of the Executive Transport Wing

Aircraft Variant Image Origin Type In service Notes
Transport - "Grey Fleet"
Airbus A321neo A321LR
Long range		  France
 Germany		 Transport,
MEDEVAC		 2 [20]
Special mission aircraft - "White Fleet"
Airbus A319 A319OH
Offener Himmel		  France
 Germany		 Reconnaissance 1 In service since June 2019.[21][22]
It is performing reconnaissance missions under the Open Skies Treaty.
Transport - "White Fleet"
Airbus A350 ACJ350  France
 Germany		 VIP transport,
troops transport		 3 Entered service between January 2021 and March 2023.[23][24][25][26]
Airbus A321 A321-200  France
 Germany		 VIP transport,
troops transport		 1 [27]
Airbus A319 A319CJ  France
 Germany		 VIP transport 2 In service since 2010.[28]
Bombardier Global 5000 Global 5000  Canada VIP transport 3 [27]
Bombardier Global 6000 Global 6000  Canada VIP transport 3 [29][30][27]
Helicopter transport
Eurocopter AS532 AS532 U2  France VIP transport 3 Operated by the Flugbereitschaft des Bundesministeriums der Verteidigung.[27]

List of aircraft of the WTD61

Aircraft Variant Image Origin Type In service Notes
Pilatus PC-12 PC-12 NGX
(illustration)		  Switzerland Test pilot training (and transport aircraft) 1 [31][32]

Externally owned aircraft

International collaborations

Aircraft Variant Image Origin Operator Type In service Notes
Aerial refueling
Airbus A330 MRTT
Multi-Role Tanker Transport		 A330-200 MRTT

 France
 Germany  Spain
 United Kingdom		 MMF [de]
Multinational MRTT Fleet
(Belgium,
Czechia,
Denmark,
Germany,
Luxembourg,
Netherlands,
Norway,
Sweden)		 Tanker,
transporter,
medical evacuation aircraft		 9
(+3 on order)
[33]		 [34]
Based at the Eindhoven Air Base in the Netherlands.[35]
Orders (+ nations initiating / joining the programme):
  • 2 in July 2016 (Netherlands, Luxembourg)[36]
  • 5 in September 2018 (Germany, Norway)[37]
  • 1 in February 2018 (Belgium)[36]
  • 1 in September 2020 (Luxembourg)[38]
  • 1 in March 2023 (Belgium)[39]
  • 2 in June 2025 (Sweden, Denmark)[40]

The first aircraft entered service in June 2020, the ninth in February 2025).

A330 MRTT MEDEVAC kit A330 MRTT  European Union MEDEVAC kit
Medical evacuation kit		 1 [41]
One of the MRTT aircraft of the Multinational MRTT Fleet comes with the MEDEVAC kits.
Kit with: 6 ICU, 16 stretchers and 21 chairs for medical support.[42]
Air surveillance
Boeing E-3 Sentry E-3A  United States NAEW&CF programme
(NATO Airborne Early Warning & Control Force)
(Belgium,
Canada,
Czechia,
Denmark,
Germany,
Greece,
Hungary,
Italy,
Luxembourg,
Netherlands,
Norway,
Poland,
Portugal,
Romania,
Turkey,
Spain,
United States)		 AEW&C
Airborne early warning and control		 14
[33]		 [43]
Based at NATO Air Base Geilenkirchen, Germany.
18 E-3 used initially, and to be replaced by the E-7 Wedgetail, of which 6 were ordered in January 2024.[44][45]
Drones
Northrop Grumman RQ-4 Global Hawk RQ-4D Phoenix
(Block 40)		  United States AGS
(Alliance Ground Surveillance)
(Bulgaria,
Czechia,
Denmark,
Estonia,
Germany,
Italy,
Latvia,
Lithuania,
Luxembourg,
Norway,
Poland,
Romania,
Slovakia,
Slovenia,
United Kingdom,
United States)		 UCAV, HALE, ISR
Unmanned combat aerial vehicle high altitude long endurance, intelligence surveillance reconnaissance		 5 [46]

Aircraft provided by contractors

Aircraft Variant Image Origin Contractor Type In service Notes
Aircraft
PZL M28 Skytruck
(with underbelly luggage pod)		 –  Poland
 Ukraine		 PD Sicherheit Paratrooper training 3 [47]
Helicopters
Airbus H135 EC 135P2+ –  Germany DL Helicopter Technik Training helicopter – Contract extended in July 2021.[48]
1 lost in July 2025.[49]
Approval for additional rentals in December 2025.[50]
Airbus H145 H145 D2  Germany NHV [de] Training helicopter 1 Used to train KSK pilots.[51][52][53]
H145 D3 2

Aircraft on lease

Aircraft Variant Image Origin Type In service Notes
UAVs
IAI Heron Heron TP (Eitan)  Israel ISR UCAV
Intelligence surveillance reconnaissance, Unmanned combat aerial vehicle		 5
[54]		 5 Heron 1 were leased until July 2023 when it was retired after 13 years in service.[55]
Leasing contract for 5 drones signed in 2018.[56]
3 planned to be purchased as of June 2025.[57]

Aircraft equipment

Current aircraft equipment

Model Variant Image Origin Type Used with In service Notes
Reconnaissance and targeting equipment
Litening Rafael / Zeiss Litening 3  Israel
 Germany

(licence production)

 Targeting pod Panavia Tornado (IDS)[58]
Eurofighter (T1, T2, T3)		 – [59]

It succeeded to the Litening 2 that was used with the Panavia Tornado (IDS).

Litening Litening V  Israel Targeting pod Eurofighter (T2, T3, T4, T5) 1

(+89 on order)

 Approved for purchase in June 2025, budget of €350 million.[60] Contract in August 2025.[61][62]

Capabilities

  • EO (electro optical)
  • SWIR (short-wavelength infrared)
  • MWIR (mid-wavelength infrared)
  • SAR (Synthetic-aperture radar)Used for laser guidance, GPS guidance, or image guidance with datalink.
RecceLite –  Israel
 Germany		 Reconnaissance pod Panavia Tornado (IDS, ECR)

Eurofighter (T1, T2, T3, T4, T5)

 – [63][64]

Used on the Tornado since 2009.[65][66] Zeiss supplies the sensors. It enables IR and optical high resolution reconnaissance, with digitised data.

Radar
Euroradar CAPTOR CAPTOR-M  United Kingdom
 Italy
 Germany
 Spain		 Mechanically scanned array radar Eurofighter (T1, T2, T3) – [67]
Electronic warfare
Cerberus IV / TSPJ [de]

Tornado Self-Protect Jammer

 –  Israel
 Germany		 ECM pod Panavia Tornado (ECR) – [68]
ELS

Emitter Location System

 –  United States Radar locator sensor Panavia Tornado (ECR) – [68][69]

System supplied by Texas Instrument.

Praetorian DASS

Defensive Aids Sub-System

 – –  United Kingdom
 Italy
 Spain
 Germany		 Self-protection EW Eurofighter (T1, T2, T3) – [70]

The system is made of:

The system is being modernised to the Praetorian eVo standard.[71]

Hardware
Cobham 908E WDE –  United Kingdom Under-wing refuelling pod (for aircraft and helicopters) Airbus A400M – [72][73]
Cobham 808E HDU

Hose Drum Unit

 — —  United Kingdom Under-fuselage refuelling pod (for aircraft) Airbus A400M – [74]

Aircraft weapons

Model Variant Image Origin Type Used with In service Notes
Cannons
Mauser BK-27 –  Germany Revolver cannon

27×145 mm

 Panavia Tornado (IDS, ECR)[58]

Eurofighter (T1, T2, T3, T4, T5, EK)

 – [75]
BVR air-to-air missiles
AIM-120 AMRAAM AIM-120B

 United States BVR, radar homing, air-to-air missile Eurofighter (T1, T2, T3) –

(320 initially)

 [76][77][78]

320 AIM-120B purchased by the German Air Force for the F-4F Phantom II in 1995.[79] This missile is qualified with the Eurofighter T1.[76][80]

Meteor –  United Kingdom
 Germany
 France
 Italy
 Spain
 Sweden		 BVR, radar homing, air-to-air missile Eurofighter (T2, T3, T4, T5, EK) /

F-35A Lightning II

 > 520 [81]

Orders:[82]

  • Batch 1: 150 (order 2013, delivery 2016-18)[83]
  • Batch 2: 100 (2019)[84]
  • Batch 3: ~270 (November 2024 - €521 million budget approved)[85][86]
  • Batch 4: unknown quantity (January 2026)[87][88][89]First missile shot by the German Eurofighter in December 2024.[90][91]
Short range air-to-air missiles
AIM-9 Sidewinder AIM-9L/I  United States
 Germany 		Infrared homing, short range air-to-air missile Panavia Tornado (IDS, ECR)[58] /

Eurofighter (T1, T2, T3)

 – [92]

Made under licence by Diehl in Germany. The missile is not produced anymore, but remains in the stockpile.[93] It was initially used by the F-4 Phantom II, later with the Tornado..

IRIS-T –

 Germany
 Italy
 Greece
 Norway
 Spain
 Sweden		 IR homing,

short range air-to-air missile

 Panavia Tornado (IDS, ECR)[58] /

Eurofighter (T1, T2, T3, T4, T5, EK)

 > 1,370 [94][76][78]

Quantity remaining unknown as some were supplied for the IRIS-T SLS for Ukraine. Orders:

  • 1,250[95]
  • Framework agreement (2023): 1,280. Firm orders in the framework:[96][97]

Approval to maintain and modernise the IRIS-T missiles to the Block II in December 2024, signed in January 2025.[99][101]

Strategic weapons
B61 nuclear bomb B61 Mod 3

(illustration)

  United States Thermonuclear gravity bomb

(variable yield of 0.3, 1.5, 60, or 170 kt)

 Panavia Tornado (IDS) – [58]

Weapons under American control, operated by the Luftwaffe. To be retired when the F-35A replaces the Tornado IDS, and the B61 Mod 12 will be used.[102]

B61 Mod 4 Thermonuclear gravity bomb

(variable yield of 0.3, 1.5, 10, or 45 kt)

 –
Air-to-surface missiles
Taurus KEPD 350E  Germany
 Sweden		 Land attack cruise missile Panavia Tornado (IDS)

Eurofighter (T2, T3, T4, T5)

 –

(600 initially)

 [103][104]

600 ordered, delivered between 2005 and 2010.[105] Modernisation contract signed in 2025.[106][107]

AGM-88 AGM-88B HARM Block IIIB

High-speed Anti-Radiation Missile

  United States Anti-radiation missile Panavia Tornado (ECR)[58]Eurofighter (T2, T3) – [108]

AGM-88B HARM Block IIIB in use with the Tornado.[109]

AGM-88E2 AARGM

Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missile

 Panavia Tornado (ECR)[58]

Eurofighter (T4, T5, EK)

F-35A Lightning II

 – [110]

Ordered in 2021, testing starting in 2025 with the Tornado ECR.[111]

AIM-9 Sidewinder LaGS

Laser-Guided Sidewinder

 –  United States
 Germany		 Land attack missile Panavia Tornado (IDS) –

(300 initially)

 [112][113][114]

Made under licence by Diehl in Germany. Later on proposed for modification by Diehl for the land attack mission, as the need for the air-to-air missile declined, and the need for air-to-ground missiles increased.

Unguided bombs
Mark 82 Mark 82-EP  Italy /
 United States		 Gravity bomb

500 lb (230 kg)

 Panavia Tornado (IDS, ECR)

Eurofighter (T2, T3, T4, T5, EK)

F-35A Lightning II

 – [58][115]

The bombs can be used unguided or with a guidance kit. When used with a guidance kit, the one used is the: GBU-54 JDAM, with the FBM21- GER fuse.[116]

Note: made by Rheinmetall Italy.[117]

Mark 83 –  Italy /
 United States		 Gravity bomb

1,000 lb (450 kg)

 Panavia Tornado (IDS, ECR)

Eurofighter (T1, T2, T3, T4, T5, EK)

F-35A Lightning II

 – [58][115]

The bombs can be used unguided or with a guidance kit. . When used with a guidance kit, the one used is the: GBU-48 Enhanced Paveway II, with the FBM21- GER fuse.[118]

Mark 84 –  Italy /
 United States		 Gravity bomb

2,000 lb (910 kg)

 Panavia Tornado (IDS, ECR)

F-35A Lightning II

 – [58][115]

The bombs can be used unguided or with a guidance kit. When used with a guidance kit, the one used is the: GBU-24 Paveway III.[119]

BLU-109 –  Italy /
 United States		 Bunker buster bomb

2,000 lb (910 kg)

 Panavia Tornado (IDS, ECR)

F-35A Lightning II

 – [58][115]

The bombs can be used unguided or with a guidance kit. When used with a guidance kit, the one used is the: GBU-24 Paveway III.[119]

Bomb guidance kits
GBU-54 JDAM –  United States Precision guidance kit

(dual mode GPS / laser)

 Panavia Tornado (IDS, ECR)

Eurofighter (T2, T3, T4, T5, EK)

F-35A Lightning II

 – [116][58]

Warhead: Mark 82, 500 lb (230 kg) bomb.

GBU-48 Enhanced Paveway II –  United States Precision guidance kit

(dual mode GPS / laser)

 Panavia Tornado (IDS)

Eurofighter (T1, T2, T3, T4, T5, EK)

F-35A Lightning II

 – [118][58]

Warhead: Mark 83, 1,000 lb (450 kg) bomb.

GBU-24 Paveway III –  United States Laser guidance kit Panavia Tornado (IDS)

F-35A Lightning II

 – [119][58]

Warheads: Mark 84 and BLU-109 2,000 lb (910 kg) bombs.

  Current equipment to equip future aircraft as well
  Aircraft to be upgraded in order to be equipped with this missile

Air defence systems

Surface-to-air missiles and missiles systems

Model Image Origin Type Range Altitude Number Notes
Arrow 3
Arrow 3  Israel
 United States		 Anti-ballistic missile air defence system – > 100 km (62 mi)
[120]		 1
(+2 on order)		 [121]
System designed and made jointly by IAI and Boeing.
Orders:
  • 2023 - 3 Arrow 3 systems
    • funds approved in June 2023[122]
    • American export approval in August 2023[123]
    • agreement between Germany and Israel for 3 systems in September 2023[123]
    • contract signed in November 2023 (€3.5 billion)[124]
  • 2025 / 2026
    • funds approved in December 2025 for additional missiles and launchers (USD $3.1 billion more),[50][125] contract signed in January 2026[126]

Deliveries:

Arrow 3 C2 –  Israel
 United States		 Command and control – – 1
(+2 on order)		 [129]
EL/M-2080S Super Green Pine  Israel 3D, L-band (IEEE), AESA, warning and fire control radar 900 km (560 mi)

[130]

 – 1
(+2 on order)		 [131]
Arrow 3 - communication system –  Israel Data-link missile-radar – – – [121]
Arrow 3 launcher  Israel Transporter erector launcher semi-trailer – – – [121]
Launcher with 4 missiles, unknown number of launchers per fire unit.
Arrow 3 missile  Israel
 United States		 Anti-ballistic missile > 150 to 200 km (93 to 124 mi)
[132]		 > 100 km (62 mi)
[120]		 – It can shoot a ballistic missile with a range of 2,400 km (1,500 mi), with exo-atmospheric capabilities.[120]
MiM-104 Patriot
MIM-104 Patriot
Mobile and Protected Signals Intelligence

 Germany
 United States		 Medium range anti-air missile fire unit – – 9
[133]		 During the Cold War, Germany had 36 Patriot systems in service.
As of May 2025, the German Air Force operates 9 Patriot systems.[133]
The systems in service are upgraded to PAC-3 standard, and it is equipped with PAC-2 and PAC-3 CRI missiles in service. Germany has also PAC-3 MSE and PAC-2 GEM-T missiles on order.
The launchers will be converted to be capable to operate the PAC-3 MSE missiles.[134][135]
Budget for the conversion of the launcher approved in December 2025 and for new trucks (guided missile transporter and trailer, swap bodies for power supply systems and semi-trailer tractors).[50]
IRIS-T SLM
IRIS-T SLM
Part of the ESSI		  Germany Short-to-medium range missile fire unit – – 1
(+5 on order)
[136]		 [137]
Six fire units were purchased in July 2023 for €950 million and the delivery will start from 2024, 8 in total are expected eventually.[138]
First delivery in August 2024.[136]
Airbus IBMS-FS
Integrated Battle Management Software Fire Control System		 –  Germany Command and control – – 1
(+5 on order)		 [137]
It's the TOC (Tactical Operations Centre) of the fire unit.
Hensoldt TRML-4D  Germany GaN, AESA, 4D,
fire acquisition radar		 250 km (160 mi)
(instrumented range)
60 km (37 mi)
(missile track range)		 – 1
(+5 on order)		 [137]
Sensor of the IRIS-T SLM fire unit.
IRIS-T SLM launcher  Germany Transporter erector launcher – – 3
(+15 on order)		 [137]
3 launchers per fire unit, but up to 8 possible.
IRIS-T SLM missile  Germany
 Italy
 Sweden
 Greece
 Norway
 Spain		 Infrared homing, medium range air-to-air missile 40 km (25 mi) 20 km (12 mi) – [139]
It is based on the IRIS-T air-to-air missile equipped with an enlarged rocket motor, data link, and jettisonable drag-reducing nose cone.[140]
Ozelot
Ozelot
LeFlaSys (leichtes Flugabwehrsystem)		  Germany
 United States		 Light SHORAD batteries 4.8 km (3.0 mi) 3.5 km (2.2 mi) 5 System based on Wiesel 2.[141][142]
Operated by the 3rd Squadron of 61 Surface-to-Air Missile Group.
Ozelot BF/UF
FlaFührung		  Germany Command and control – – 10 [141]
Ozelot AFF  Germany
 Sweden		 Mobile air surveillance radar 20 km (12 mi) – 7 [143][144]
Equipment:
Ozelot - ASRAD
FlaRaWaTrg		  Germany Multi-launch system – – 50
(+4 in storage)		 [141]
The weapon carrier is based on the Wiesel 2.
Equipment:[144]
  • Missile launcher with 4 Stinger missiles ready to fire, 4 in storage[141]
  • EO / IR sensor
  • Radio system
FIM-92 Stinger  United States Infrared homing, -short range surface-to-air missile 5.5 km (3.4 mi) 3.5 km (2.2 mi) – [141][144]

Air surveillance systems

Model Image Origin Type Range Quantity Notes
Fixed early warning radars
HADR NF  Germany
 Israel		 Ballistic missiles early-warning, 3D, S-band (IEEE), AESA radar 400 km (250 mi)
(air targets)
2,000 km (1,200 mi)
(targets in orbit)
[148]		 4 [149][150][151]
Supplied by IAI ELTA and Hensoldt.[152]
Ground Master 406F  France
 United States		 Early warning, 3D, S-band (IEEE), AESA radar 450 km (280 mi)
[153]		 6 Modified variant of the GM403 for the German forces, for a fixed radar system.[154]
Operated by the "Operational Command Service" of the Luftwaffe (EinsFüDstLw).
Manufactured by Thales Raytheon Systems.[155]
RRP 117 [de]
Remote Radar Post		  United States
 Germany		 Early warning, 3D, D-band (IEEE), solid-state radar 9 to 463 km (5.6 to 287.7 mi)
[156]		 8 Under radome, in service since 1998.[157][158][159][160]
Modifications made by Siemens.[161]
To be modernised (December 2025 approval).[162][50]
Mobile early warning radars
Selex RAT-31DL
VERALÜ		  Italy Mobile early warning, 3D, L-band (IEEE), AESA radar 400 km (250 mi)
(air targets)
30 km (19 mi)
(altitude)
[163]		 3 [164][165]
2 in service since 2011, 1 additional since 2023.[163][166]
The components are the radar and two 20-foot ISO containers.[163]
Airport surveillance radar
Hensoldt’s ASR-S
(Illustration)		  Germany Airport surveillance radar, S-band (IEEE) 100 km (62 mi) 20 Radar used for:[167]
  • approach control at the airfields
  • airspace surveillance in order to coordinate and integrate the military movements within the civilian traffic

Navigation equipment

Current navigation equipment

Model Image Origin Type Quantity Notes
TACAN  Germany Tactical air navigation – [168]

Space equipment

Military satellites

Model Image Origin Type In service Notes
Communications
SATCOMBw-1
(illustration)		  Germany Geostationary communication satellites 1 [169][170]
Operated at an altitude of 36,000 km.
The communication systems work in the Ku-Band and C-Band.
SATCOMBw-2 1
Surveillance / reconnaissance
SAR-Lupe  Germany SAR reconnaissance satellite
Synthetic-aperture radar		 5 [171][172]
They are at an orbit of 500 km.
An X-band radar is used by the satellite.
SARah [de] —  Germany SAR reconnaissance satellite
Synthetic-aperture radar		 3 [173]
Successor of the SAR-Lupe that operates at an orbit of 750 km.
The first one is in service. 2 additional that were launched have had problems entering service. The antennas deployed after manoeuvres. Testing are taking place.[174][175] If they are not operational, they will be replaced.[176]
CSO
Composante Spatiale Optique		  France High resolution optical reconnaissance satellite 3 Operated by the French Space Force, images supplied to the German Armed Forces through the MUSIS programme.[177]
R&D satellite
H2Sat [de]
Heinrich Hertz		 –  Germany Research geostationary communication satellite 1 To be used for scientific and technological verifications.[178]
Based on the SmallGEO (LUXOR) satellite.
Launched by the last Ariane 5.

Commercial / civilian satellites

Contractor Model Image Origin Type In service Notes
Communications
Intelsat (through the German company MilSat Services) –
(illustration)		  United States Communication satellite constellation — T-AmtBw signed a contract in 2006 with MilSat Services GmbH for commercial transmission capabilities.[179]
Surveillance / reconnaissance
ICEYE SAR
"SPOCK 1"		 – –  Finland
 Germany		 SAR reconnaissance satellite
Synthetic-aperture radar		 – [180]
ICEYE / Rheinmetall collaboration, ground equipment, AI-imagery analysis.
Planet Labs – –  United States
 Germany		 Satellite imagery – [181]
€240 million contract signed in July 2025 with access to PlanetScope and SkySat data and AI systems.
Geo-locating
Galileo PRS – –  European Union Military geo-locating satellites – [182]

Equipment on order

Aircraft on order

Aircraft Variant Image Origin Type Quantity ordered Planned to enter service in Notes
Combat aircraft
Eurofighter Typhoon T4 Quadriga
1-seat		  Germany
 Italy
 Spain
 United Kingdom		 Swingrole 30 2028 [183][184]
3 aircraft will be used for further development of the Eurofighter programme.[183]
T4 Quadriga
2-seat		 – 8
T5 –  Germany
 Italy
 Spain
 United Kingdom
 Sweden		 Swingrole 20 2031 Purchase approved in October 2025, worth €3.75 billion.[185][186]
ECR – SEAD /
ECR
Suppression of enemy air defence / Electronic Combat Reconnaissance		 15 2030 [187][188]
Development contract signed in November 2023.[189] Transformed from existing 2-seat Eurofighter.[190]
Saab Arexis sensor suite selected in March 2024, support by Helsing for the AI platform.[191]
Contract for the jamming pods signed in autumn 2025.[192]
Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II F-35A  United States Swingrole / nuclear deterrent bomber 35 2027 [193]
Purchased to continue German contribution to the Nuclear sharing B61-12
Special mission aircraft
PEGASUS Bombardier Global 6000  Germany
 Canada
 United States		 SIGINT
Signal intelligence		 3 2026 Ordered in 2021, to enter service by 2025 and replace the Eurohawk.[6][29][30][27]
UAVs
Eurodrone –  France
 Germany
 Italy
 Spain		 ISR UCAV
Intelligence surveillance reconnaissance, Unmanned combat aerial vehicle		 21 2030 7 systems on contract with 21 drones for €3 billion[194][195]
Combat helicopters
H145 H145M LKH
Leichter Kampfhubschrauber		  Germany Light attack helicopter 10 2025 - 2026 82 ordered in total for the Bundeswehr, this includes 10 for the Air Force, 72 for the Army.[196]
German Air Force orders:
Transport helicopters
CH-47 Chinook CH-47F Block II SR AAR
Standard range, air-to-air refueling		  United States Heavy transport helicopter 60 2027 - 2032 Ordered in July 2023.[19][198]

Aircraft equipment on order

Model Variant Image Origin Type To be used with Quantity ordered Notes
Radars
Euroradar CAPTOR CAPTOR ECRS Mk1 - Step 1

Eurofighter Common Radar System

  Germany

 Spain

 GaN, AESA radar Eurofighter (T2, T3) 110 These new radars will equip current aircraft, and aircraft to enter service.

Orders

  • 110 ECRS Mk1 Step 1 radars ordered for the refurbishment of the German Eurofighter T2 and T3 in June 2020 by Airbus.[199][200]
  • 38 ECRS Mk1 Step 1 radars ordered in 2023 for the new Eurofighter ordered under the Quadriga project (initially Mk0 variant, later on, switched to the Mk1).[201][202]
  • 20 radars ECRS Mk1 Step 2 development ordered, planned to be used with the Eurofighter T5, they will add electronic warfare capabilities (ESM and EA).[203]
Eurofighter (T4) 38
CAPTOR ECRS Mk1 Step 2

Eurofighter Common Radar System

 Eurofighter (T5) 20
Electronic warfare
Saab Arexis EW suite –  Sweden

 Germany

 Electronic warfare suite Eurofighter (EK) 15 The first purchase was for the Arexis suite in March 2024, followed by a complementary contract to include an AI system in November 2024.[204]

The suite includes[205]

The 15 Eurofighter EK will be equipped with these systems, and the Eurofighter T5 will also receive those systems.[206]

Eurofighter (T5) 20
Praetorian DASS

Defensive Aids Sub-System

 Praetorian eVo –  United Kingdom

 Italy  Spain  Germany

 Self-protection EW Eurofighter (T4) 38 [71]

This new generation will equip the Eurofighter Tranche 4.[71]

Hardware
AMK

Aerodynamic Modification Kit

 – –  United Kingdom

 Italy  Spain  Germany

 Fuselage strakes and leading-edge root extensions Eurofighter (T2, T3, T4, T5) – Development contract signed for the AMK by Germany.[207]

The result of the changes are:

  • 25% of maximum wing lift increase
  • 45% increased AOA
  • 100% increased roll-rate
  • higher turn rate, tighter turn radius
  • improved noise pointing at low speed,
  • increasing the air-to-surface weapon capacity

Aircraft weapons on order

Model Variant Image Origin Type To be used with Quantity ordered Notes
Cannons
GAU-22 GAU-22/A  United States Rotary cannon, 25×137 mm F-35A Lightning II 35

(1 gun per F-35A)

 [208][209]

It is the 4 barrels variant of the GAU-12 Equalizer.

BVR air-to-air missiles
AIM-120 AMRAAM AIM-120C-8  United States BVR, radar homing, air-to-air missile F-35A Lightning II 237

(+ 837 option)

 Approvals DSCA:
  • 105 missiles with the F-35 purchase
  • 969 missiles in July 2023[210][211]Firm orders
  • December 2022, with the F-35A contract:[212][213]
    • 105 missiles
    • 32 training missiles
  • May 2024, €178 million:[213]
    • 80 missiles
    • 32 training missiles
  • September 2024, €121.6 million:[213]
    • 52 missiles
    • 52 training missiles
AIM-120C-8 - training missile 114
Short range air-to-air missiles
AIM-9 Sidewinder AIM-9X Block II+  United States Infrared homing, short range air-to-air missile F-35A Lightning II 75 [214][209]

Approved with the F-35A purchase, worth €109 million.

AIM-9PX CATM training Training missile, infrared homing, short range air-to-air missile 30
Strategic weapons
B61 nuclear bomb B61 Mod 12  United States Thermonuclear gravity bomb F-35A Lightning II – [215]

NATO nuclear defence sharing.[102][216]

Air-to-surface missiles
Taurus Taurus Neo  Germany
 Sweden		 Land attack cruise missile Eurofighter (T2, T3, T4, T5) – Contract signed in December 2025.[217]
Joint Strike Missile –  Norway Anti-ship cruise missile /

Land attack cruise missile

 F-35A Lightning II – Budget approvals:

Contracts signed:

  • July 2025, worth €478.7 million, with deliveries to start in 2027[218]
Brimstone 3 –  United Kingdom
 Germany (final assembly)		 Ground attack missile Eurofighter (T2, T3, T4, T5) 379

(+ 2,887 in option)

 [221]

Framework agreement in June 2024 for 3,266 missiles. Firm orders:

  • June 2024, €376 million
    • 29 missiles for operational testing + 75 missiles for telemetry (UK made)[221]
    • 274 missiles (German made)[222][223]

Air defence systems on order

System Image Origin Type Quantity ordered Notes
SAM Systems
MIM-104 Patriot PAC-3+
Part of the ESSI		  Germany
 United States		 SAM /Anti-ballistic missile 8 Orders:
  • 4 fire units ordered to Raytheon, confirmed in March 2024, $1.2 billion cost.[224]
  • 4 fire units approved by the parliament in July 2024 for €1.35 billion[225]

The contracts include the fire units, spare parts and support services.

SAM missiles
MIM-104 Patriot - PAC-2 GEM-T –  Germany
 United States		 Surface-to-air missiles 200
(+ 300 on option)		 Framework agreement for up to 500 missiles approved in December 2023 for €3.01 billion.[226]
The missiles will be assembled in Germany, and the main subcontractors will be MBDA, Bayern Chemie, TDW Gesellschaft für Wirksysteme, Sener Aerospacial and RTX.[227]
Orders:
  • 100 confirmed order for €602.1 million[228]
  • 100 ordered in August 2024 for €430 million[229] (after approval by the Bundestag in July 2024[230])
MIM-104 Patriot - PAC-3 MSE  United States Surface-to-air missiles 248 Germany cleared by DSCA to purchase up to 600 missiles in August 2024.[231]
In December 2024, the German parliament approved the purchase of 120 and 128 missiles in two different instances.[134][135]
Additional purchase approved in December 2025.[50]

Space equipment on order

Aircraft Variant Image Origin Type Quantity ordered Notes
Space plane
POLARIS Aurora – –  Germany Hypersonic reusable space place – [232][233][234][235]
Communications
SATCOMBw SATCOMBw-3
(illustration)		  Germany Geostationary communication satellite 2 [169][170][236]
Contract signed for the next-generation of communication satellite that will succeed to the SATCOMBw-1 and SATCOMBw-2.[237]
It will be launched by two Ariane 6 in 2029.[237]
Earth surface equipment
Indra S3TSR
"L-Guard"
(LEO- Ground based Upscaled AESA RaDar)		 – –  Spain Space surveillance radar 1 Low Earth orbit surveillance radar operating from 200 to 2,000 km.[238]
Part of the WRÜbwR programme (Weltraumüberwachungsradars), approved for purchase in December 2024.[239]
Ordered in February 2025 to Indra.[240]

Equipment planned to be ordered

Aircraft planned to be ordered

Aircraft Variant Image Origin Type Quantity planned Planned to enter service in Notes
Combat aircraft
Next Generation Fighter –  France
 Germany
 Spain		 6th generation swingrole jet fighter – 2040 Successor of the Eurofighter.[241]
Special mission aircraft
PEGASUS Global 6000  Germany
 Canada
 United States		 SIGINT
Signal intelligence		 – – Hensoldt hinted in October 2024 that there would be additional aircraft purchased by the German Air Force as three aircraft seem insufficient for the needs.[242]
Fixed-wing platform to be selected LuWES
"Luftgestützte Wirkung im elektromagnetischen Spektrum"		 – – Electronic warfare – – Airborne Effects in the Electromagnetic Spectrum planned to be purchased, potential platforms include business jets, Airbus airliners or the Airbus A400M Atlas.[243]
Drones
Airbus / Helsing wingman concept – –  Germany Stealthy UAV,
loyal wingman		 – – [244][245]
Drone to support Eurofighter T5, and the SCAF. MUM-T (manned-unmanned teaming) capable aircraft.
Transport helicopters
NATO NGRC
NATO Next Generation Rotorcraft Capability		 – –  France
 Germany
 Greece
 Italy
 Netherlands
 United Kingdom		 Medium helicopter, transport / ASW / ASuW / SAR / VERTREP – – [246][247]
VIP transport
Transport helicopter to be selected – – – VIP transport 3 – €200 million budget for the replacement of the 3 Eurocopter AS532. It is planned to be replaced from 2027 (after 30 years in service).[248]

Aircraft equipment planned to be ordered

Model Variant Image Origin Type Would be used with Quantity planned Notes
Radar
Euroradar CAPTOR CAPTOR ECRS Mk1 - Step 1

Eurofighter Common Radar System

  Germany
 Spain		 GaN, AESA radar Eurofighter (EK) 15 [249]

Planned to be used with the Eurofighter EK, not yet ordered.

Aircraft weapons planned to be ordered

Model Variant Image Origin Type Would be used with Quantity planned Notes
BVR air-to-air missiles
AIM-120 AMRAAM AIM-120D-3  United States BVR, radar homing, air-to-air missile F-35A Lightning II 400 Approved sales by the DSCA, negotiations ongoing:
  • 400 approved by the DSCA in September 2025[250][251]

No order yet from the German government.

Air-to-surface missiles
AGM-158 JASSM AGM-158B / B2 JASSM - ER  United States Land attack cruise missile F-35A Lightning II 75 Planned by the Bundeswehr and approved for purchased by the DSCA.[252][253]

Note: It is possible that it was already ordered with the F-35A contract.[254]

Miscellaneous
Diehl FEANIX

Future Effector – Adaptable, Networked, Intelligent, Xpendable

 –  Germany
 Spain		 Effector

(long range sensor / remote carrier)

 Eurofighter (T2, T3, T4, T5)

Airbus A400M

 – [255][256]

Collaboration with Sener.

MBDA Deutschland RCM² –  Germany Effector

(long range sensor / remote carrier)

 Eurofighter (T2, T3, T4, T5)

Airbus A400M

 – [257][258]
MBDA SPEAR SPEAR-EW  United Kingdom Stand-in jammer

(decoy missile with electronic warfare)

 Eurofighter (EK) – [259][260][261]
Guided bombs
GBU-53/B StormBreaker

SDB II (small diameter bomb II)

 –

 United States Precision-guided glide bomb

250 lb (110 kg)

 F-35A Lightning II 344 [209]
Unguided bombs
BLU-109 –  Italy /
 United States		 Bunker buster bomb

2,000 lb (910 kg)

 F-35A Lightning II 162 [209]

Offered with the GBU-31 JDAM guidance kit.

Mark 82 –  Italy /
 United States		 Gravity bomb

500 lb (230 kg)

 F-35A Lightning II 264 [209]

Offered with the GBU-54 guidance kit.

Bomb guidance kits
GBU-31 JDAM –  United States Precision guidance kit F-35A Lightning II 180 [209]

Warhead:BLU-109 2,000 lb (910 kg) bomb.

GBU-54 JDAM

(DSU-38)

 –  United States Precision guidance kit

(dual mode GPS / laser)

 F-35A Lightning II 246 [209]

Warhead: Mark 82, 500 lb (230 kg) bomb.

Air defence planned to be ordered

System Image Origin Type Quantity planned Notes
IRIS-T SLM –  Germany Short-to-medium range missile fire unit 50 [262]
IRIS-T SLX –  Germany Medium range anti-air missile – To be integrated into the IRIS-T SLM systems[263]

Space equipment planned to be ordered

Germany plans to spend €35 billion on space security (September 2025), it includes satellite constellations, ground stations, secure launch capabilities into space.[264]

Aircraft Variant Image Origin Type Quantity planned Notes
Communications
SATCOMBw SATcom Stufe 4
(illustration)		 – SATcom Level 4 - LEO
Satellite communication - low earth orbit		 ~ 100 [265]
Planned investments.
Surveillance
Space-based signals intelligence – –  Germany ELINT / SIGINT satellite – [265]
Planned investments, expected to be supplied by Rohde & Schwarz and Orbint GmbH.

See also

References

Further reading

External links

Related Articles

Wikiwand AI