Airbus Unveils First Eurofighter Tranche 4 for the German Air Force

Airbus Defence & Space has unveiled the first of 38 Eurofighter Tranche 4 aircraft being built for the German Air Force.

This was reported by FlightGlobal.

The single-seat aircraft, with production number GS0115, was unveiled at the Airbus Defence Summit, which took place on May 20 at the company’s facility in Manching near Munich.

According to a company representative, Airbus has already completed production of several Eurofighter Tranche 4 aircraft at its final assembly facility in Manching, but the new model has not yet made its maiden flight — this event is expected in the coming weeks.

As part of the Quadriga program, Germany ordered 38 Tranche 4 aircraft in November 2020. According to initial plans, they were to be delivered between 2025 and 2030. Thirty-one aircraft will be single-seat, and seven will be two-seat.

Three of the 38 aircraft will be fitted with additional test equipment and measurement instruments. These aircraft will be transferred to the national test center as part of the Eurofighter development program.

The Tranche 4 aircraft are intended to replace the earlier Tranche 1 versions in the Air Force, which have significantly limited capabilities, including an outdated Captor-M radar, limited capabilities for striking ground targets, and limited upgradeability. In addition, Germany also plans to purchase another 55 Eurofighters to replace the Tornado IDS swing-wing fighter-bombers.

A key element of the modernization will be the integration of the Swedish Arexis self-defense system from Saab. It will enable the aircraft to effectively counter enemy ground-based air defense systems. The aircraft is also slated to be equipped with new air-to-ground guided missiles.

The key difference between the Eurofighter Tranche 4 and subsequent versions and aircraft of previous generations is the inclusion of the ECRS Mk 1 AESA radar from Hensoldt. Unlike traditional mechanically scanned radars, the AESA radar can detect and track targets at significantly greater ranges, faster, and with higher accuracy. This also applies, in particular, to targets with low radar cross-section or those flying at very low altitudes, which are much more difficult for older radars to detect.

Thanks to their higher output power, AESA radars typically also provide better target selection and multi-target tracking capabilities, as well as greater resistance to enemy electronic countermeasures.

In addition to these 93 Eurofighter Tranche 4 aircraft, Germany ordered a batch of 20 Eurofighter Tranche 5 aircraft in October 2025, intended to replace the Tornado ECR in the role of an electronic warfare and reconnaissance aircraft.

The total value of the aircraft contract is approximately 3.75 billion euros. The purchase includes not only the fighters themselves but also 52 engines and spare parts. The first aircraft is scheduled for delivery in 2031, and the last in 2034.