Bundestag Approves Purchase of AIM-120, Meteor and Air Defense Systems for German Armed Forces

The Bundestag’s Budget Committee has approved a package of procurement and modernization programs for the Bundeswehr covering air-to-air missiles, air defense, armored vehicles, naval systems and strategic airlift.

The German Federal Ministry of Defence reported this following the Budget Committee’s meeting on September 23.

The Air Force will receive two additional batches of AIM-120 AMRAAM missiles for F-35A and Eurofighter fighters. The procurement will be carried out through the U.S. Foreign Military Sales program and financed from Germany’s defense budget.

The Bundeswehr will also receive two special batches of Meteor missiles for Eurofighters. They are intended to test tactics and technical solutions and to support integration work as part of the fighter’s radar modernization.

For the Navy, the committee approved a naval adaptation of the IRIS-T SLM system for F125-class frigates. The German Defense Ministry said this is intended to strengthen their self-defense capabilities against air threats.

Militarnyi previously reported that in October 2025, the naval version of IRIS-T SLM had already been tested aboard the Baden-Württemberg frigate during firing exercises off Norway. At the time, the system was installed on the ship’s deck as a separate module.

For the Army, the committee approved the integration of digital radios into Fennek 1A1 and 1A2 reconnaissance vehicles. Some surplus Fenneks will also be upgraded to the Joint Fire Support Team A5.1 standard as an interim solution until the arrival of corresponding vehicles based on the GTK Boxer.

The committee also approved the second amendment to the contract for the NNbS short- and very-short-range air defense system. Among other things, fire-control vehicle modules and air defense missile vehicle modules will be adapted to the standardized Boxer B0 chassis, while the air defense vehicle simulator will be built in a containerized configuration.

A separate procurement covers 70 mm rockets in combat and training configurations for Tiger attack helicopters and the Bundeswehr’s light combat helicopters. The committee also approved additional laser designators for Joint Fire Support Team dismounted teams.

For the Navy, one of two full-function NH90 simulators will be upgraded to integrate the NATO Frigate Helicopter German Navy Step 3 configuration. The Bundeswehr will also receive new multipurpose combat boats for the naval battalion, along with training, documentation and equipment.

In addition, a new contract under the Strategic Airlift International Solution was approved, guaranteeing the Bundeswehr access to strategic airlift aircraft for transporting oversized and heavy cargo.

As part of efforts to strengthen air defense, Germany is also increasing its procurement of IRIS-T systems.

As Militarnyi previously reported, in February 2026 the Bundeswehr ordered additional batches of IRIS-T missiles for SLS and SLM ground-based systems and combat aircraft.