Germany’s government is preparing to seek parliamentary approval for about 80 defence projects before year’s end, according to a document. Among the plans are the purchase of new Eurofighter jets and an upgrade of the long-range Taurus cruise missile system.
The document outlines 81 defence projects that surpass the threshold of 25 million euros ($29 million), beyond which purchases need approval by parliament’s budget committee.
Among the items is the so-called Tranche 5 of Eurofighter jets, former Chancellor Olaf Scholz previously said would include 20 aircraft built by Airbus.
The list also features plans to modernise the Taurus cruise missile system. Germany plans to build a production line for the next-generation Taurus NEO and may order up to 600 new missiles. A contract has already been secured for a ten-year upgrade and maintenance program for the current Taurus fleet.
Last year, it was reported that Defence Minister Boris Pistorius aimed to develop an advanced version of the Taurus and buy 600 of them.
German forces possess 600 of the current version with a range of more than 500 km (311 miles) in their inventories, to be launched from fighter jets such as the Tornado, the F-15 or the F/A-18.
The weapon, built by the European defence company MBDA (BAES.L), (LDOF.MI) is designed to destroy high-value targets behind enemy lines such as command bunkers, ammunition and fuel dumps, airfields and bridges.
Air Defence
In addition, Berlin is expected to allocate billions from its special defence fund to strengthen air defence, upgrade existing systems.
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, among others.
In August, Germany halted exports of arms to Israel which could be used in Gaza Strip because of Israel’s plan to expand its operations there.
The list does not specify the number of systems to be acquired, the price or who produces them.
($1 = 0.8542 euros)
(With inputs from Reuters)
