Germany to buy more than 3,200 Brimstone missiles for Eurofighter fleet

Europe, News July 1, 2024 , by IRIA No Comments

Germany’s federal parliament has approved a significant budget for the acquisition of 3,266 units of the Brimstone 3 air-to-surface missile and the development of a supersonic cruise missile. The missiles will be integrated into the German Air Force’s Eurofighter fleet.

According to a report by the German defense media, Berlin will acquire 3,266 Brimstone air-to-surface missiles from MBDA for its Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jets. The Brimstone missile, developed in the U.K., is known for its ability to eliminate armored vehicles and small targets with precision.

Equipped with a shaped charge warhead and a millimeter-wave radar plus laser seeker, the Brimstone missile offers high precision and a “fire-and-forget” capability against moving targets.

The framework deal includes an initial order of 378 missiles worth up to $402 million). Of these, 274 units are designated for operational use, 29 for testing, and 75 for training. Additionally, the delivery will include pylons for weapon suspension, auxiliary and diagnostic equipment, toolkits, and training materials. The first deliveries are expected to commence by 2028.

Features and specifications of Brimstone missiles

Deployed extensively on fixed-wing aircraft, the Brimstone 3 is notably adaptable, often carried under triple racks to maximize the combat load of platforms like the Eurofighter Typhoon. With a range of up to 60 kilometers from the launch point, this missile provides operators with a significant standoff capability, reducing exposure to hostile threats while maintaining high operational flexibility.

*^{A Brimstone missile equipped to an aircraft. (Image Credit: RAF/via MBDA)}*

The Brimstone 3 ensures unparalleled target acquisition capabilities with its dual-mode guidance system which enables the missile to autonomously track and engage moving targets, even in adverse weather conditions and challenging environments.

Its ability to operate in fire-and-forget mode enhances its tactical effectiveness, allowing pilots to engage multiple targets swiftly without diverting attention from other critical mission objectives.

Germany’s Eurofighter fleet

Germany has been proactive in integrating new capabilities onto its Eurofighter fleet, which currently consists of 138 aircraft, with an additional 20 ordered recently. These upgrades include Saab’s transmitter location and self-protection system, and Northrop Grumman’s Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missiles. Approved by parliament in 2023, these updates enable the Eurofighter to detect, locate, and disable anti-aircraft radars mid-flight. Defense firms Airbus, BAE Systems, and Leonardo, who jointly manufacture the Eurofighter, play a crucial role in these enhancements.

In addition to the Brimstone acquisition, Germany is also investing in the long-term development of the Tyrfing (Super Sonic Strike Missile, 3SM) supersonic cruise missile. This ambitious project will be a collaborative effort among Norwegian Kongsberg, German Diehl, and the consortium MBDA, with Kongsberg leading the development. Slated to succeed the Naval Strike Missile (NSM) by 2035, the Tyrfing program aims to create the first European supersonic cruise missile.

*^{German Eurofighter jet at the ILA Berlin Airshow. (Image Credit: Twitter/@GarethJennings3)}*

The development of the Tyrfing missile represents a strategic move to enhance Europe’s naval defense capabilities. Currently, most supersonic cruise missiles for naval use are larger than the likes of the RGM-84 Harpoon and NSM. The Tyrfing program aims to develop a supersonic cruise missile that fits within the size regime of these existing missiles, ensuring compatibility with current naval standards.

Although detailed specifications of the Tyrfing missile’s guidance system are not yet available due to the early stage of the program, the collaborative effort marks a significant step forward in European defense technology.