Airbus Will Supply Germany With 20 Additional Eurofighter Jets

By Andrea Thomas and Helena Smolak

Germany will order 20 additional Eurofighter jets from Airbus ahead of the next general elections scheduled for 2025, Chancellor Olaf Scholz said. He sees this as a turnaround for the country's new defense industrial policy.

Scholz, speaking at the International Aerospace Exhibition near Berlin, said Wednesday that he promises the sector reliable orders in the current legislative period. The order for the 20 Eurofighter jets adds to the 38 aircraft currently still in the pipeline.

He promised to ensure continuous capacity utilization for Eurofighter jets production in the German town of Manching. This would provide security for Airbus, the production site in Manching and for the entire supply chain. Scholz made clear that he wants to see the German and European aviation industry in a leading position worldwide. He also called for competitive prices for climate-friendly fuels.

Scholz said that a turnaround in the defense industry would firstly require the rapid closure of key capability gaps. This requires new products on the market. Secondly, the German and European industry would need to build up production capacities and develop and refine technologies.

"To do this, you need reliable orders from us," said Scholz in his opening speech. He noted that because there had been so little demand in the past, the local industry no longer has everything on offer that Germany's armed forces urgently need today. As Germany simply cannot wait, it is switching to products from allies, such as heavy transport helicopters.

Write to Andrea Thomas at andrea.thomas@wsj.com and Helena Smolak at helena.smolak@wsj.com

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

June 05, 2024 06:53 ET (10:53 GMT)

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