Germany air focus: Europe’s leading near-term air market targets domestic industry
Germany’s $8.8 billion acquisition of F-35s includes domestic industrial participation, such as fuselage production in Germany. (Photo: Lockheed Martin)
Between 2026 and 2032, almost a quarter of EU aircraft spending is expected to come from Germany. While crewed programmes seek modernisation and replacement, uncrewed opportunities look to introduce entirely new capabilities, with both highlighting sovereignty and domestic production.
The German crewed and uncrewed air market is estimated to be worth US$73.90 billion, according to research from Shephard‘s Defence Insight. This outlay accounts for 13.2% of all European air spending and makes Germany the second-most valuable market, behind the UK.
However, Germany’s spending is forecast to be more immediate than that of its European counterparts. The country is forecast to spend $32.90 billion between 2026 and 2032, accounting for 14.7% of all European and Turkish spending over the period, which is higher than any other nation. In other terms, for every $6.80 spent on aircraft across these nations as a whole, $1 is spent by
Our news & analysis is now part of Defence Insight®
A Basic-level or higher Defence Insight subscription is now required to view this content.
More from Country-focused updates
-
![Companies downselected for British Army vehicle programme]()
Companies downselected for British Army vehicle programme
It is believed that three companies did not make the downselect but a dark horse in Spain’s Iturri is believed to have got through.
-
![Singapore expands maritime presence with future-ready Sentinel OPV]()
Singapore expands maritime presence with future-ready Sentinel OPV
Singapore is building space for uncrewed systems and future technologies into its new Sentinel-class OPVs, reflecting a wider move towards adaptable vessels capable of maintaining persistent maritime presence.
-
![Will the US Navy F/A-XX and the USAF F-47 compete for production capacities?]()
Will the US Navy F/A-XX and the USAF F-47 compete for production capacities?
The two sixth-generation fighter programmes could battle for engineering talent and production lines before deliveries begin, testing Boeing’s industrial expansion plans.
-
![E-3 Sentry encryption equipment no longer meets US security requirements, says USAF]()
E-3 Sentry encryption equipment no longer meets US security requirements, says USAF
The US Air Force says the Sentry fleet’s DAR-400 encryptor can no longer keep pace with changing security requirements and warns that a failure could affect US operations and data security.
