A Look At How Germany’s Military Fleet Is Evolving
April 26, 2021
Heavy Lifting
Berlin will decide before the summer on the rotorcraft that will take over the heavy-lift mantle from its Sikorsky CH-53G Stallion fleet.
The German defense ministry relaunched its heavy transport helicopter (STH) program at the beginning of 2021 by soliciting bids through the U.S. Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program for both the Boeing CH-47 Chinook and the Sikorsky CH-53K King Stallion.
The two U.S.-built helicopters are the only Western types that meet the country’s heavy-lift needs. The original STH program was canceled last September over budgetary concerns after bids came in well over the €5.4 billion ($6.5 billion) budget. German officials are hopeful that the FMS approach will deliver more affordable offers.
Both Boeing and Sikorsky have established industrial teams in-country to support the selected aircraft in service. Sikorsky believes the FMS could benefit its CH-53K, since the basic FMS model includes features Germany requires such as aerial refueling.
The basic CH-47F flown by the U.S. Army is not capable of aerial refueling. Boeing had offered a bespoke configuration of the CH-47 with extended-range fuel tanks and an aerial-refueling probe to meet the German requirement and says that its production capability would allow deliveries in 36 months. Germany plans to begin retiring the CH-53Ds in 2024, with the type exiting the inventory by 2030.
Sikorsky CH-53G. Credit: Luftwaffe
Tornado Replacement Effort
Germany’s frontline fighter fleet will be largely dominated by the Eurofighter Typhoon into the 2030s, if plans to replace the country’s Panavia Tornados are approved by the next Bundestag. In April 2020, the German defense ministry determined that its 85 Tornados would be replaced by a mix of Eurofighters in advanced Tranche 5 configuration, along with Boeing F/A-18 Super Hornets and EA-18G Growlers, with the Super Hornets taking on the country’s nuclear mission. The Eurofighters would be in addition to the Tranche 2 and 3 model aircraft already in service and a new batch of Tranche 4 aircraft ordered last November to replace the Tranche 1 fleet through the country’s Quadriga program. The final decision will be left to the next government in 2022 or 2023, Defense Minister Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer said at the time. German voters will go to the polls this September.
Panavia Tornado. Credit: Luftwaffe
Sigint Update
With a decision to opt for a manned business jet platform for its signals-intelligence-collection (sigint) capability, Germany is moving toward closing a chapter on an embarrassing defense fumble. Three Bombardier Global 6000 business jets will perform the mission that had been intended for a derivative of the Northrop Grumman Global Hawk, the Eurohawk. The Eurohawk’s introduction was halted after delivery of the first unit, once it was recognized that the aircraft could not be certified to operate within German airspace without significantly greater investment. Proposals to use a derivative of the U.S. Navy’s Triton were also canceled. The signals-intelligence payload, originally intended for the Eurohawk, will now be fitted to the business jets. They are due to be adapted and delivered by 2025, officials say.
Bombardier Global 5000. Credit: Luftwaffe
Leading the EuroDrone
Germany will be the largest customer for the four-nation Eurodrone platform. It has ordered seven systems, each of which includes three of the 11,000-kg (24,250-lb.), twin-engine aircraft. Berlin wants to use the medium-altitude, long-endurance uncrewed system for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions, replacing Israel Aerospace Industries’ Heron systems that acted as an intermediate capability. Germany has the option to arm the Eurodrone platform in the future, although public opinion is deeply divided on that. Such debates were resolved long ago in other parts of Europe. German lawmakers approved spending on the program in April, and contract signing for the four-nation development is expected shortly. First flight is planned for 2025, and first deliveries are to follow in 2028.
IAI Heron. Credit: Luftwaffe
The German military’s heavy-lift helicopter fleet is the third-largest in the world, making the looming competition to replace its Sikorsky CH-53G Stallions one that could reshape the global market in that sector. But that is not the only area in which Berlin’s decisions will be felt beyond its borders. Germany will be the largest customer for the Eurodrone intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance unmanned aircraft system. Here is a look at some of Germany’s looming decisions.