The German Air Force’s first Tranche 4 Eurofighter EF-2000 aircraft has successfully completed its maiden flight at the Airbus Military Aircraft Centre in Manching, Germany. This marks a significant milestone under Project Quadriga, which aims to modernize the Luftwaffe’s capabilities.
In November 2020, Berlin placed an order for a total of 38 Tranche 4 Eurofighters, consisting of 30 single-seat fighters and eight two-seat trainers. This replacement initiative is intended to phase out the aging Tranche 1 Eurofighters currently in service. Airbus confirmed that the first aircraft is scheduled for delivery to the Luftwaffe later this year, and the full fleet is expected to be delivered by 2030.
This achievement aligns with Germany’s broader plans for advancing its air combat capabilities, particularly in light of the recent cancellation of the Franco-German Future Combat Air System. The uncertainty surrounding Europe’s next-generation combat aircraft projects makes the Luftwaffe’s commitment to modern fighters even more critical. The new fleet, combined with Germany’s order for an additional 20 Tranche 5 Eurofighters in 2025, will bring the total number of planned acquisitions to 58 new-build Eurofighters.
The Tranche 4 Eurofighters come equipped with refined technological enhancements, notably the integration of the European Common Radar System (ECRS) Mark 1. This state-of-the-art active electronically scanned array radar system significantly enhances target detection capabilities, multi-target tracking, and resilience to electronic warfare—offering a considerable upgrade over previous models.
Furthermore, these fighters are anticipated to carry the Taurus KEPD 350 long-range stand-off cruise missile, which is also used by the German Panavia Tornado IDS fighter-bombers. Developed through a collaboration between MBDA Deutschland and Saab under TAURUS Systems GmbH, the Taurus KEPD is designed for precision strikes against well-fortified, deeply buried, and stationary targets, thereby increasing the Luftwaffe’s strike capabilities significantly.
As the Luftwaffe continues to evolve and adapt to changing defense needs, the successful maiden flight of the Tranche 4 Eurofighter is a promising step toward enhancing Germany’s overall military readiness and air supremacy.
