Germany plans parliamentary approval for 80 defence projects Eurofighter jets, Taurus missile upgrade

The German government intends to seek parliamentary approval for around 80 defence projects by the end of the year, including the purchase of Eurofighter jets and the modernisation of the Taurus cruise missile, according to a government document seen by Reuters.

The document outlines 81 defence projects exceeding the 25 million euro ($29 million) threshold, above which purchases must be approved by the Bundestag’s budget committee.

Among the projects is the so-called Tranche 5 of Eurofighter jets, which former Chancellor Olaf Scholz had said would include 20 aircraft built by Airbus. The list also features plans to modernise the Taurus cruise missile system and establish a production line for the next-generation Taurus NEO. Last year, Defence Minister Boris Pistorius said Germany aimed to develop an advanced version of the missile and purchase 600 units.

German forces currently possess 600 of the existing Taurus missiles, which have a range of more than 500 kilometers and can be launched from fighter jets such as the Tornado, F-15, or F/A-18. Built by European defence company MBDA, the weapon is designed to strike high-value targets behind enemy lines, including command bunkers, ammunition and fuel depots, airfields, and bridges.

Other major projects on the list include the acquisition of Patriot and IRIS-T SLM missile systems, Puma infantry fighting vehicles, Boxer armoured personnel carriers, and Heron TP drones manufactured in Israel.

In August, Germany suspended arms exports to Israel that could potentially be used in the Gaza Strip due to Israel’s planned military operations there. The government document does not provide details on the number of systems to be acquired, their cost, or manufacturers.

By Sabina Mammadli