Germany is preparing to seek parliamentary approval for 81 defence projects exceeding €25m, including Eurofighter Tranche 5 jets and the modernisation of Taurus cruise missiles. 
According to a document seen by Reuters, the German government plans to submit around 80 major defence projects for parliamentary budget committee approval by year’s end. The package includes the procurement of Eurofighter Tranche 5 aircraft and an upgrade programme for the Taurus cruise missile system.
Former Chancellor Olaf Scholz had previously announced that jets would cover 20 aircraft to be built by Airbus, ensuring continued production in Germany. For the Luftwaffe, this marks the first step beyond the Quadriga Tranche 4 order, signalling Berlin’s intention to maintain a twin-fleet structure alongside the F-35A.
The Taurus programme includes modernisation of existing systems and the establishment of a production line for the next-generation Taurus NEO. Defence Minister Boris Pistorius has previously indicated plans to purchase up to 600 upgraded missiles, expanding on Germany’s current stock of 600 Taurus with ranges exceeding 500 km.
Tranche 5 production will secure Airbus’s German assembly line in the near term, while also bridging to future European initiatives such as the Eurofighter ECR and the Next Generation Weapon System/FCAS programme beyond 2030.
Other projects on Berlin’s list include acquisitions of Patriot and IRIS-T SLM air defence systems, Puma infantry fighting vehicles, Boxer APCs, and Israeli-made Heron TP drones.
