Another centerpiece is the Eurofighter Tranche 5 — built by Airbus, BAE Systems and Leonardo — with €4 billion set to be approved in October 2025 for new aircraft and another €1.9 billion for radar upgrades. Together with further investments in electronic warfare systems and avionics packages, the plan shows Berlin is doubling down on its existing European fighter fleet to bridge production delays for the troubled Future Combat Air System (FCAS), a next-generation fighter that’s supposed to be built by Germany, France and Spain.
The army features prominently as well. More than €3.4 billion is planned for additional Boxer armored vehicles in October, built by Rheinmetall and KNDS. That goes along with €3.8 billion for a new unnamed wheeled tank destroyer.
A few projects on the list, such as a €40 million mobile reconnaissance support system under the title MAUS, come with funding attached but no publicly designated contractor.
Modernization drive
Politically sensitive programs include a €2.3 billion modernization of the Taurus cruise missile, set to be approved in December. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is under pressure from Kyiv to supply them to Ukraine, but so far German governments have balked at transferring the missiles.
Air defense is another major focus. The plan includes more than €300 million for additional German-built IRIS-T SLM units, €755 million for ship-launched missiles, and €490 million for new short-range air defense missiles.
One of the more dicey projects on the list is the Eurodrone, with €196 million set aside to develop its “detect and avoid” system — a prerequisite for the drone to fly safely in European airspace. The program, led by Airbus, Dassault and Leonardo, has been plagued by delays and rising costs, yet Berlin is pressing ahead with fresh funding in this budget cycle.
The navy’s share goes beyond the future frigates. Upgrades for Germany’s current F-123 frigates are priced at €1.7 billion, while a package of anti-submarine warfare systems and new torpedoes will add several hundred million euros more.
The document also lists dozens of smaller but still significant contracts: €274 million for a fleet auxiliary vessel and hundreds of millions for new trucks, radios, drones, and ammunition of every caliber. Taken together, they add up to a comprehensive modernization effort touching every branch of the armed forces.