Tranche 4 Aircraft Life Expectancy Beyond 2060

Germany has signed a contract with Airbus for 38 new-build Eurofighter aircraft, making it the largest ordering nation in Europe’s biggest defence programme, the company announced on 11 November.

The order, also known by its project name Quadriga, covers the delivery of 30 single-seater and eight twin-seater aircraft, three of which will serve as instrumented test aircraft in the continuing development programme.

The renewed order from Germany secures production until 2030 and comes at a strategically important time for the programme. In addition to an anticipated Eurofighter order from Spain to replace its legacy F-18s, procurement decisions in Switzerland and Finland are imminent in 2021. The variant offered to Switzerland is similar to the Quadriga order, and includes the world’s latest electronic radar, future-proof hardware and software and unlimited multi-role capability against engaging air and ground targets.

“The new Tranche 4 Eurofighter is currently the most modern European-built combat aircraft with a service life well beyond 2060. Its technical capabilities will allow full integration into the European Future Combat Air System FCAS,” commented Airbus Defence and Space CEO, Dirk Hoke.