Germany buying new Typhoons, Super Hornets and Growlers

[boff180]

Yup that’s not a joke thread title.

According to sources (link), Germany has decided upon a mixed fleet of new upgraded Typhoon and Super Hornet to replace the Tranche 1 Typhoon, Tornado IDS and ECR.

The planned purchase is....

90 Typhoon - in both the air to air and strike roles/configurations
30 F/A-18E Super Hornet - to be cleared to carry the B-61 nuclear bomb.
15 E/A-18G Growler

The article suggests the Super Hornet purchase is due to resistance from the US to clearing the Typhoon on the B-61 and, the Growler buy is because they don’t trust Airbus to develop the proposed ECR version of the Typhoon on time and to budget/spec.

Good news for us spotters, another two types in European skies

Andy

[spellow3010]

I saw this too Boff, an interesting development for certain should it come to fruition...

As sad as it will be to lose the Tonkas, the thought of super-bugs/growlers is happy news for me. Love F-18s... and the super-bugs are... well... bae.

[Wissam24]

I can't think of anything worse than more European Hornets.

[iainpeden]

I can't think of anything worse than more European Hornets.

That's easy - more F-35s.

[Mike]

More grey F-16s?

[XP282]

I can't think of anything worse than more European Hornets.

Genuine question... but whys that? Just not a fan of the Hornet or is it something about 'European' hornets?

[Wissam24]

They're all as equally bad!

[iainpeden]

More grey F-16s?

I wonder why the F-16 flying nations have tended to be more inclined to special schemes than the F-18 flyers. I'm thinking of the Belgian, Dutch, Turkish, Danish and Greek display/anniversary a/c where as the Spanish and Swiss tend to stick to fancy tails and fuel tanks and I can't recall any fancy Finnish markings.

Given that the Luftwaffe tend to be positive about fancy schemes and that, as far as I know, the F-18 doesn't have too many delicate composite panels it could be good - if we have any airshows of course which the Germans are less keen on.

[Airshowhammer]

The FA/18E Super Hornet is a brute of a jet. Big, noisy and if the germans surprisingly display it what's not to like?

[Tommy]

There’s a really good RUSI article on why this is, on its face, a pretty bad decision:

https://rusi.org/publication/rusi-defen ... t-poor-one

Cool to see a new type in Europe, but given Germany’s god-awful and well-documented serviceability issues, it’s unlikely we’ll see them in any great numbers, if at all. At current percentages they’ll be lucky to get, what, 5 combat-ready airframes available at a particular time from such a small acquisition?

[Skyflash]

I can't think of anything worse than more European Hornets.

I’m absolutely delighted!

[Skyflash]

Given that the Luftwaffe tend to be positive about fancy schemes and that, as far as I know, the F-18 doesn't have too many delicate composite panels it could be good - if we have any airshows of course which the Germans are less keen on.

It's a good point actually - the ECR unit is the Tiger squadron based at Schleswig-Jagel. Just think - Tiger-schemed Growlers!

[boff180]

As a little preview of the ECR replacement.....

321 Tigers E/A-18G Growler by Andrew Evans, on Flickr

[MiG_Eater]

Very cool news in my view (and nice work on the whif Boff, looks amazing!)

Yes I agree, of course: Superhornets aren't as cool as Tornados, but in comparison to literally any other realistic alternative they are way cooler.

[Wissam24]

I can't think of anything worse than more European Hornets.

I’m absolutely delighted!

This makes it worse!

[Spotty_Jag]

But in comparison to literally any other realistic alternative they are way cooler.

Agreed. The prospect of Super Hornets instead of more F-35/Typhoon squadrons in Europe should be welcome news for all sane minded enthusiasts.

[Rich.B]

The Germans stated that the F35 only offerd 10% that being its limited stealth. Its Eurofighters and super hornets can do the other 90% much better.and without black boxs.

[ChrisWaddle]

The Germans stated that the F35 only offerd 10% that being its limited stealth. Its Eurofighters and super hornets can do the other 90% much better.and without black boxs.

That is total and utter boll***s, F-35 was the first choice of the Luftwaffe. Berlin feared being kicked out of Franco-German fighter if F-35 was chosen.

[Bill16STN]

I really struggle with this forum sometimes.

This is really interesting news & has a lot of implications & ramifications, yet it seem that most people on here are more preocupied with what colour / paint scheme will be applied?

WTF

[st24]

I really struggle with this forum sometimes.

This is really interesting news & has a lot of implications & ramifications, yet it seem that most people on here are more preocupied with what colour / paint scheme will be applied?

WTF

Because colours, markings and variety is all that matters. Gawd bless the Germans for not joining the dreary F-35 flock!

[Binbrook 01]

Well I will be happy when any orders are confirmed. Which currently they are not Unless I missed it

[Ken Shabby]

Well I will be happy when any orders are confirmed. Which currently they are not Unless I missed it

Yes, it will be interesting to see what level of priority this purchase (or any other military new-type acquisition) will be given in the current economic circumstances.

[Joe Spares]

Im just a it confused that in the days of stand off missiles, stealth jets and drones, the concept of flying a manned aircraft over a heavily defended enemy target to lob a free fall gravity nuke onto it, is even considered a vital role..... surely that concept should have gone out with the F117s arrival 30 odd years back lol....

[Rich.B]

I'm just a it confused that in the days of stand off missiles, stealth jets and drones, the concept of flying a manned aircraft over a heavily defended enemy target to lob a free fall gravity nuke onto it, is even considered a vital role..... surely that concept should have gone out with the F117s arrival 30 odd years back lol....

Simple really. Its the cheapest way to stay a Nuke power.

[CJS]

I'm just a it confused that in the days of stand off missiles, stealth jets and drones, the concept of flying a manned aircraft over a heavily defended enemy target to lob a free fall gravity nuke onto it, is even considered a vital role..... surely that concept should have gone out with the F117s arrival 30 odd years back lol....

Simple really. Its the cheapest way to stay a Nuke power.

Except Germany isn't a nuclear power, I thought it just allowed the US to base nukes there.

Why are German aircraft going to carry them? Surely that will never happen?