12 November 2020

Germany signs for ‘Quadriga' Eurofighters

by Gareth Jennings

Germany has signed for the procurement of additional Eurofighter combat aircraft for the Luftwaffe under the country’s Project Quadriga procurement plan.

A Luftwaffe Eurofighter sporting a special ‘Quadriga’ paint scheme. Germany has ordered 38 new aircraft to be built to this Tranche 4 standard, with deliveries to commence in 2025. (Airbus)

Airbus announced that the multi-billion Euro project for 38 newbuild Eurofighters was signed on 11 November, less than a week after the German Bundestag approved the purchase.

“The order, also known by its project name Quadriga, covers the delivery of 30 single-seater and eight twin-seater Eurofighters. Three of the aircraft will be equipped with additional test installations as Instrumented Test Aircraft for the further development of the Eurofighter programme,” Airbus said. These numbers differ slightly from earlier announcements of 31 single- and seven twin-seater aircraft.

As previously reported by Janes, Project Quadriga will see the Luftwaffe replace 38 Tranche 1 Eurofighters, which will be sold to the international market, with newbuild Tranche 4 aircraft (previously these had been referred to as Tranche 3B or Tranche 3+). These new aircraft will be equipped with the E-Scan Radar 1 active electronically scanned array (AESA) sensor, ‘future proof’ hardware, and updated software.

Airbus noted that this deal will secure the Eurofighter production lines through to at least 2030. The Project Quadriga aircraft will be built using parts from all four core partner production facilities - Warton in the UK, Manching in Germany, Caselle in Italy, and Getafe in Spain - before being assembled in Manching.

Germany has signed for the procurement of additional Eurofighter combat aircraft for the Luftwaffe u...

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