Germany To Finalise Order for 38 Eurofighter Jets, 110 E-Scan Radars

Germany appears poised to place an order for 38 Eurofighter jets under tranche 4, and 110 E-Scan (or Captor-E) AESA radars early next year, days after Airbus unveiled details of its new electronic combat role (ECR) concept, intended to provide airborne electronic attack capability to the Eurofighter jets of the German Air Force.

“Under Project Quadriga, Berlin is likely to procure 33 Eurofighters, with an option to buy 5 more by April 2020,” Dirk Hoke, CEO of Airbus Defence and Space, was quoted as saying by La Tribune on Tuesday.

The new jets with deliveries projected to begin in 2025, will replace German Eurofighters of Tranche 1.

The ECR concept was presented at the  International Fighter Conference in Berlin on November 12. "It specifically targets the German Air Force requirements for an airborne electronic attack capability. Furthermore it is the single opportunity to deliver such capabilities on the basis of national sovereignty, whilst also securing key military technologies within Germany," Airbus had said.

Eurofighter ECR will be able to provide passive emitter location as well as active jamming of threats, and will offer a variety of modular configurations for electronic attack (EA) and suppression/destruction of enemy air defence (SEAD/DEAD). Latest national escort jammer technology will ensure national control over features such as mission data and data analysis. The concept also features a new twin-seat cockpit configuration with a multi-function panoramic touch display and a dedicated mission cockpit for the rear-seat.

The concept is driven by Airbus, Hensoldt, MBDA, MTU, Premium Aerotec, Rolls-Royce and supported by the German national industry bodies BDSV and BDLI.