Eurofighter Procurement To Cost Germany Dearly

The German Air Force's procurement of 180 Eurofighter jets is rising beyond its planned 14.7 billion euros, according to a local reports.

The Luftwaffe is now expecting to pay 14.5 billion euros by the end of this year for only 108 of the fighters and 16.8 billion euros by 208 for 143 jets, paying more money for fewer fighters, according to reports. 

"It is correct that the cost of the Eurofighters is rising," said a German Ministry spokesman. 

The Eurofighter multi-role Typhoon jet is manufactured by Airbus-owner EADS, Italy's Finmeccanica and Britain's BAE Systems. The manufacturers did not respond to a request for a comment on the report. 

The new chief of the Eurofighter Typhoon said at the Paris Air Show last month that he will lay out plans this year to make the fighter cheaper in an increasingly competitive market. 

The Eurofighter's main competitors include Lockheed Martin's F-35 jet, Dassault Aviation's Rafale fighter and the Gripen by Sweden's Saab AB.