German Bundestag Budget Committee Approves Purchase of Guided Missiles, Military Equipment Upgrades

The Budget Committee of the German Bundestag has approved the acquisition of guided missiles and various military equipment upgrades running hundreds of millions of euros on June 26.

The committee sanctioned the purchase of Brimstone guided missiles to arm the Eurofighter, totaling approximately €376 million. These missiles, intended for deployment from 2028 onwards, are designed for precision strikes against both stationary and moving targets on land and at sea. The procurement package includes training missiles, launch equipment, and support materials.

Additionally, the committee greenlit the acquisition of Stinger guided missiles, valued at €395 million. Funded primarily from Germany's capacity building budget, these missiles are destined to replace equipment provided to the Ukrainian armed forces. Delivery of the Stinger missiles is scheduled for 2028 and 2029, enhancing Germany's defense capabilities in air defense across various platforms including the Fliegerfaust 2 Stinger MANPADS.

Furthermore, the committee approved funding for new military trucks, firefighting vehicles, and reconnaissance technology upgrades for Fennek variants. The procurement includes up to 6,500 all-terrain military trucks in different payload classes, firefighting vehicles equipped for airfield operations, and advanced reconnaissance equipment integrating laser target designators for enhanced battlefield awareness. These investments total approximately €483 million.

The committee has also allocated funds for the upgrade of electronic warfare systems on Brandenburg-class frigates, amounting to around €103 million. This initiative aims to maintain the operational effectiveness of these vessels until at least 2035, reinforcing Germany's maritime capabilities in national defense and alliance operations, particularly in anti-submarine warfare and escort protection roles.