Berlin: Germany is preparing to make one of its most significant defence procurement pushes in recent years, with plans to present around 80 high-value projects to parliament before the year’s end. According to a government planning document, each of these contracts will exceed €25 million ($29 million), requiring mandatory approval from the Bundestag’s budget committee.
At the forefront of the planned acquisitions is the purchase of new Eurofighter Typhoon jets, part of the so-called “tranche 5” order. Former Chancellor Olaf Scholz had earlier hinted that Berlin might add at least 20 new aircraft to bolster the Luftwaffe’s fleet. The Eurofighters would modernize Germany’s air combat capability at a time when Europe is recalibrating its security architecture in response to global tensions.
The document also identifies key investments in Patriot long-range missile defence systems and the IRIS-T SLM medium-range surface-to-air missile system, providing Germany with a multi-layered shield against aerial threats. The IRIS-T SLM, in particular, has emerged as a cornerstone of Germany’s contribution to European collective security, with its 40-kilometre reach and precision capabilities enhancing both national and allied defences.
Beyond air power, the list includes Puma infantry fighting vehicles and Boxer armoured personnel carriers, signalling Berlin’s intention to modernize its land forces as well. While the draft plan refrains from naming manufacturers or detailing delivery schedules, it underscores the breadth of Germany’s rearmament agenda spanning from advanced aircraft to mobile ground combat systems.
For Berlin, the timing is critical. Germany’s €100-billion “special defence fund,” announced after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, has been steadily channelled into modernisation projects. This latest procurement drive reflects a dual ambition: to strengthen deterrence against external threats and to meet NATO’s capability commitments.
The parliamentary process will be pivotal. Every contract crossing the €25-million threshold requires Bundestag scrutiny, ensuring that such sweeping military expenditures remain under democratic oversight. Analysts suggest that while most of the planned projects are expected to pass, debates could surface over balancing fiscal prudence with strategic urgency.
As Germany steps up its defence investments, its choices carry implications well beyond national borders. From airspace defence to armoured mobility, Berlin’s decisions will shape not just the Bundeswehr’s future, but also Europe’s collective ability to respond to evolving security challenges.