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4w ago

Cost of Büchel Air Base Upgrade Soars to €2 Billion

Officials say accelerated construction plus stringent U.S. security standards drove the budget higher.

Image
Ein Tornado-Kampfflugzeug der Bundesluftwaffe landet auf dem Fliegerhorst Büchel.
Ein Chinook-Hubschrauber der kanadischen Streitkräfte im Landeanflug (Aufnahme vom 15. Juni 2025)

Overview

  • Government now expects total costs of around €2 billion, up from the initial €700 million estimate in 2023.
  • Officials attribute the overrun to compressed construction timelines and U.S. security mandates that restrict the pool of cleared contractors.
  • The project remains on track to deliver new runways, hangars and a high-tech center supporting 35 F-35 jets by the 2027 deployment deadline.
  • The upgrade is the Bundeswehr’s largest and most complex construction effort, driven by NATO nuclear sharing obligations.
  • The Büchel renovation sits alongside a broader €67 billion Bundeswehr infrastructure backlog and has prompted plans for a new law to expedite military construction approvals.