Germany Approves €3.85 Billion Upgrade Package for Bundeswehr Procurement Projects

The budget committee of Germany’s federal parliament (Bundestag) has approved an additional allocation of €3.85 billion from the special defence fund to bolster several major procurement projects for the Bundeswehr. The funding, aimed at enhancing operational capabilities and accelerating ongoing modernisation efforts, addresses key areas of air defence, aviation, soldier equipment and camouflage technology.

Helicopters: Additional 20 H-145M Light Attack Aircraft

One of the largest items in the new package is €1.1 billion for the procurement of an additional 20 Airbus H145M light attack helicopters configured as H-145M. Under a 2023 framework agreement, Germany had secured delivery of up to 82 H145M helicopters, of which 62 have already been ordered. The new tranche will raise the total to 82 units, with deliveries scheduled between 2027 and 2029.

Currently, the Bundeswehr operates approximately 15 H145M LUH SOF special-operations configured helicopters. The procurement reflects a shift to expand attack and reconnaissance rotary-wing capacity and sustains the industrial line at Airbus’s Donauwörth facility.

Air Defence Missiles: Further IRIS-T SLM Systems

Another key allocation is €1 billion aimed at acquiring additional units of the IRIS-T SLM (Surface Launched Medium-range) missile system, produced by Diehl Defence. The system is central to Germany’s layered ground-based air-defence architecture.

The Bundeswehr currently operates one IRIS-T SLM fire-unit, which achieved initial operational capability in 2024. In 2023 a contract was awarded for six fire-units and 216 missiles. The new funding will enable expansion of launcher elements, radar and command components, strengthening Germany’s commitment to modern air-defence readiness.

Camouflage Equipment: Multispectral Nets and Stationary Systems

The procurement package also includes €580 million for a framework agreement with Sioen Defence to acquire stationary multispectral camouflage equipment. This gear is designed to reduce detection by drones and satellites, strengthening the protection of forward-deployed and stationary positions.

The German Army plans to order hundreds of thousands of modern multispectral camouflage nets, signaling an awareness of emerging aerial-surveillance threats and remote targeting.

Eurofighter Aerodynamic Kit: P4E Modifications

Another major item is €600 million committed to the first development phase of the P4E Aerodynamic Modification Kit for the Eurofighter Typhoon multirole combat aircraft. This upgrade programme targets improved manoeuvrability and performance enhancements.

Germany currently operates one of the largest Eurofighter fleets in Europe, making the P4E kit a strategic step in long-term fleet modernisation.

Night-Vision Goggles: Up to 100,000 Sets from Theon

The budget package also earmarks a high three-digit million euro sum — approximately €570 million — for the procurement of up to 100,000 night-vision goggles from Theon Sensors. This is intended to equip dismounted soldiers with enhanced night-vision capability.

Earlier programmes equipped the Bundeswehr with about 66,000 night-vision sets, and the new order represents a significant ramp-up in soldier-optics readiness.

Strategic Context and Implications

The €3.85 billion allocation reflects Germany’s accelerating defence procurement tempo in response to shifting threat perceptions, especially regarding Europe’s eastern flank. Officials cite lessons from the Ukraine conflict, emerging drone and cruise-missile threats, and domestic readiness concerns. The Zeitenwende policy continues to channel large-scale investments into modernisation.

The package spans aviation, air defence, camouflage, and soldier systems — balancing platform modernisation with force-protection enhancements. However, delivery schedules indicate that full operational impact will unfold gradually over the decade.