Overview
- A defense ministry submission asks the Bundestag budget committee to approve the order this week, according to reports of the draft.
- The package covers 20 Tranche‑4 aircraft with 52 engines plus spare parts.
- Deliveries would start in 2031, with the final five jets scheduled for 2034.
- Berlin plans to proceed with 20 aircraft despite Airbus urging up to 50 to sustain domestic production.
- Officials cast the buy as a bridge to roughly 2040 as the FCAS successor program faces an end‑2025 decision point, and Politico reports Germany targets nearly €83 billion in additional defense contracts through 2026.