This marks another step towards renewing Germany’s defense capabilities. According to classified government documents cited by Bloomberg and republished by the economic newspaper Handelsblatt, the government coalition in Berlin is planning a new weapons systems procurement package worth over €3 billion.
The relevant files for new weapons systems in Germany have already been sent to the Bundestag, which will be called upon to decide on Wednesday (12/11) in a closed-door session.
Helicopters, night vision and anti-aircraft missiles
According to this data, the federal government intends to procure 20 attack helicopters from Airbus, at a cost approaching €1 billion. The package also includes 100,000 night vision devices to be supplied by German company Hensoldt in collaboration with Greek group Theon International, also worth approximately €1 billion.
The purchase of IRIS-T SLM surface-to-air anti-aircraft missiles from German company Diehl is also planned, with an estimated cost of €1.2 billion. These specific air defense systems are considered central to the Bundeswehr’s modernization strategy and to Germany’s enhanced role within NATO.
Major defense spending boost underway
This new package follows last month’s approval by the Bundestag of 18 defense programs worth over €14 billion in total. New contracts are expected by the end of the year, as part of Germany’s rearmament effort launched after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
As Handelsblatt notes, the federal Defense Ministry declined to comment on the information before Wednesday’s session, maintaining confidentiality around contract details until the Bundestag makes its official decision.
