Thanks to the special fund of 100 billion euros decided shortly after the start of the war in Ukraine, the Bundeswehr [forces armées fédérales allemandes] intends not only to fill its capacity deficits but also to replenish its ammunition reserves. Hence the numerous announcements made in recent months, such as that relating to the notification to Rheinmetall of a framework agreement worth 8.5 billion euros for the delivery of 155 mm artillery shells.
On June 26, the Finance Committee of the Bundestag [chambre basse du Parlement allemand] approved three projects relating to munitions.
The first aims to finance the development of the 3SM “Tyrfing” anti-ship missile, in cooperation with Norway. The second will allow the Bundeswehr to acquire 506 Stinger anti-aircraft missiles [de type MANPADS – man-portable air-defense system] for 395 million euros, the objective being to replace those supplied to Ukraine.
Finally, the third project involves the delivery of a maximum of 3,266 Brimstone 3 air-to-ground missiles to the Luftwaffe [force aérienne]via a framework contract to be awarded to MBDA Deutschland for a period of nine years.
As a reminder, the Brimstone was developed by MBDA UK, for the needs of the Royal Air Force. [RAF]. Equipped with two guidance systems [laser et radar millimétrique] and having a range of 60 km, this missile weighing around 50 kg is particularly effective against mobile targets.
The first examples were used by Tornado GR4s from 2005. These fighter-bombers having been withdrawn from service, the Eurofighter Typhoons are now the only “manned” aircraft that can use them.
The Brimstone 3s intended for the Luftwaffe will therefore be assembled by MBDA Deutschland, at its Schrobenhausen site, whose missile production capacity will double in order to “permanently cover the needs of Germany and NATO’s European partners”.
Note that the Brimstone’s warhead is supplied by the German group TDW GmbH, a subsidiary of MBDA.
Initially, there is talk of a firm order worth 376 million euros for the delivery of 274 “operational missiles” and 104 others for testing, training and telemetry. Delivery of the first examples should begin in 2028.
In addition to the acquisition of Brimstone 3, the Luftwaffe also wants to obtain, from the United States, 969 AIM-120C-8 air-to-air missiles [pour environ 2,6 milliards d’euros] as well as 75 JASSM-ER cruise missiles.
Photo : BAE Systems
