Quadriga Eurofighter Completes Maiden Flight

Germany’s first Quadriga Eurofighter (Tranche 4) has officially taken to the skies, successfully completing its maiden test flight. Equipped with the new-generation ESCAN radar, multi-target tracking capabilities, and Taurus cruise missile integration, the aircraft represents a significant leap in operational capability.

Far more than just a standard delivery, the platform serves as a technological bridge, designed to operate in a network-centric environment alongside unmanned systems as the backbone of European air forces through the 2050s.

A 30-Year Legacy Over Manching

This milestone carries deep historical significance for the program. According to Airbus, the Eurofighter Typhoon’s original development aircraft, the DA1, conducted its first flight at the very same Manching facility on March 27, 1994. Test pilot Peter Weger, who commanded that inaugural flight, remarked at the time that he knew he was piloting an extraordinary machine—a day that would remain etched in his memory.

Upgrading the Bundeswehr with Tranche 4

For over three decades, the Eurofighter has remained the backbone of European air forces, jointly developed by Germany, the UK, Italy, and Spain. Under the Quadriga program, 38 Tranche 4 aircraft—30 single-seat and 8 twin-seat—are set to be delivered to Germany between 2025 and 2030. These new jets will also replace the Bundeswehr’s initial production-series Eurofighters.

According to Airbus, with these next-generation upgrades, the Eurofighter will continue to serve as the defensive backbone of European air forces well into the 2050s. It will also act as a technological bridge alongside the Future Combat Air System (FCAS), operating in a networked battlespace alongside unmanned systems.

Growth in the Eurofighter program isn’t limited to Germany, however. On October 27, 2025, Türkiye placed an order for 20 newly built Eurofighter Typhoons under a roughly £8 billion deal signed with the UK, making it the 10th country to join the program. With production set to take place at BAE Systems’ Warton facility, Türkiye is also continuing negotiations to acquire up to 24 second-hand aircraft from Qatar and Oman.

Türkiye Joins the Eurofighter Fleet

In a statement made in December 2025, Minister of National Defense Yaşar Güler clarified the delivery schedule for the 20 newly built aircraft to be acquired from the UK: 6 are planned to join the Turkish Air Force inventory in 2030, 8 in 2031, and the remaining 6 in 2032. You can access our comprehensive analysis of this timeline and the details of Türkiye’s Eurofighter procurement process here.

The aircraft to be supplied from Qatar will be taken over as a complete ready-to-use package, including all munitions and ground support equipment. Meanwhile, the 12 aircraft coming from Oman will undergo modernization—featuring AESA radar and Meteor missile integration—and are scheduled to enter the inventory in 2028.
Minister Güler also emphasized that domestically developed software and indigenous munitions produced by the Turkish defense industry will be used on all Eurofighters to be procured.acağını da vurguladı.”