Eurofighter from Manching: Bavaria is arming itself against Putin!

Eurofighter from Manching: Bavaria is arming itself against Putin!

Amid growing geopolitical tensions and challenges, the German Air Force appears to have its hands full. The threat from Russia has not only influenced the security situation in Europe, but has also significantly highlighted the armament and size of the Bundeswehr. As part of these efforts, the Eurofighter fighter jets are the focus of production in Manching, Bavaria. The developments surrounding these state-of-the-art aircraft are nothing short of exciting.

In the Airbus factory in Manching, over 5,800 employees from 39 nations are busy assembling the Eurofighter. The order volume for the recently started final production of the new “Quadriga” Eurofighter is around five billion euros, and the Bundeswehr will receive a total of 38 new aircraft by 2030. This order was made in 2020, long before the Ukraine war changed the security policy landscape. tz.de reports that each Eurofighter is equipped with around 100 kilometers of cable - that's roughly the length of ten single-family homes.

Important components and precision

The Eurofighter is assembled almost entirely by hand. Every step of the process is carefully documented digitally. What is particularly exciting is that the parts of the Eurofighter come from different European countries: the left wings come from Italy, while the right ones are made from Spain. The rear fuselage and front section come from Great Britain and Italy, and the fuselage is assembled in Augsburg. This is how European industry works hand in hand to create a product that is important for the continent's defense capability.

Alea-Anna Röger, a 27-year-old aircraft mechanic, explains this assembly process and emphasizes the precision required in the work. The employees in Manching have to have good hands, as the quality of production has the highest priority. Her training with the Bundeswehr since 2017 also gives her the necessary knowledge to master the complex technology.

A strong support for the Bundeswehr

The Air Force currently has 141 Eurofighters in its inventory, and the federal government is currently planning to double the number of Eurofighters for airspace control from two to four. NATO has also announced that it will further strengthen its defense capabilities. The Bundeswehr has also recognized the seriousness of the situation: the then Chancellor Olaf Scholz announced the purchase of 20 new jets in 2024, and in the coming period 35 F-35 aircraft are to be purchased for training purposes in the USA in order to optimize air traffic surveillance.

Arming the Bundeswehr is both a response to the existing threat and part of a long-term strategy. The new Eurofighter models are intended to set a contemporary standard that will replace the first generation machines in use. tagesschau.de highlights that these new machines feature state-of-the-art radar technology designed for different operational scenarios. The aim is to equip the Air Force more effectively for the security of Germany and NATO.

A look into the future

The challenges for the Bundeswehr will not diminish in the coming years. Germany plans to train around 100,000 additional reservists by 2029/2030 in order to further increase operational capability. These plans are part of a comprehensive upgrade program that not only affects the Eurofighter, but also includes new drone technologies and modern surveillance systems. Against the background of current geopolitical developments, it is clear that the Air Force must be prepared for all eventualities. merkur.de describes the need for a “drone wall” to strengthen the EU’s eastern flank in light of ongoing tensions with Russia.

The developments in Eurofighter production are a sign of the will to strengthen Germany's defense architecture and a step towards a modern and responsive future. It remains to be seen whether the planned projects will be implemented quickly. What is certain, however, is that a valuable contribution to the security of Germany and Europe is being made in Manching.