Germany Orders Meteor Missiles from MBDA

Germany has ordered an unspecified number of Meteor beyond visual range air-to-air missiles (BVRAAMs) from MBDA.

The missiles will arm German Air Force Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jets.

"Signed on 16 December, the contract was awarded to MBDA by the Meteor Integrated Joint Programme Office (IJPO) on behalf of the German Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support (BAAINBw)," MBDA said in a statement on December 20.

Last month, South Korea contracted MBDA for the supply of Meteor missiles to be equipped on its indigenous KF-X fighter jets.

Meteor has a ramjet propulsion system that allows it to fly far and fast. The company claims that "Unlike traditional air-to-air missiles that glide unpowered for most of their flight, limiting their ability to hit agile targets at long distances, Meteor’s ramjet provides sustained thrust at speeds in excess of Mach 4 all the way to the target."