Germany Set to Award $1.41 Billion Eurofighter Upgrade Contract to Saab and Northrop Grumman

Germany is set to award a €1.2 billion contract to Saab and Northrop Grumman to upgrade its Eurofighter jets with advanced anti-radar missile systems. The upgrade aims to enable the jets to effectively counter ground-based air defenses. The contract is expected to be granted to the two companies, with the upgrade to be deployed on the Eurofighter jets.

Germany is set to award a €1.2 billion contract to Saab and Northrop Grumman to upgrade its Eurofighter jets with advanced anti-radar missile systems. The upgrade aims to enable the jets to effectively counter ground-based air defenses. The contract is expected to be granted to the two companies, with the upgrade to be deployed on the Eurofighter jets Germany set to award €1.2B Eurofighter upgrade contract to Saab, Northrop Grumman^[1].

The upgrade contract includes Saab’s Arexis sensor suite and Northrop’s AGM-88E missiles. This deal is part of a broader procurement strategy by Defense Minister Boris Pistorius, who plans to submit more than 80 projects for parliamentary approval before year-end. Other notable projects include an order for 20 new Eurofighters and thousands of tanks and armored vehicles Germany set to award €1.2B Eurofighter upgrade contract to Saab, Northrop Grumman^[1].

The contract could also lay the groundwork for closer defense ties between Berlin and Stockholm, particularly in developing a next-generation fighter to replace the Eurofighter fleet by the 2040s. This initiative comes amidst growing frustrations over the slow-moving Future Combat Air System (FCAS) program, where France’s Dassault Aviation has sought greater control despite German resistance Germany set to award €1.2B Eurofighter upgrade contract to Saab, Northrop Grumman^[1].

In a related development, German and Swedish fighter jets were scrambled to intercept a Russian surveillance aircraft flying over the Baltic Sea without a flight plan or radio contact. The incident highlights the heightened alert for Russian military and reconnaissance activities in and around European airspace German, Swedish fighter jets track Russian reconnaissance plane over Baltic Sea^[2].

The upgrade contract underscores Germany's commitment to modernizing its air defense capabilities and enhancing its collaboration with international partners. The deal is expected to receive parliamentary approval in early October Germany set to award €1.2B Eurofighter upgrade contract to Saab, Northrop Grumman^[1].