Germany will spend around 1 billion euros on another 20 Airbus military helicopters, to be delivered over two years starting in 2027, according to government documents.
The funding promise, first reported by Bloomberg, is set out in a Treasury document to be submitted to Congress this Sunday that was obtained by Reuters.
The Defense Ministry declined to comment on the order, saying it cannot discuss procurement plans before they are considered by Congress.
The purchase completes a 2023 contract that allows the military to purchase up to 82 Airbus H145M helicopters, 62 of which are already on order.
The total cost of 20 additional aircraft (15 for combat missions and 5 for special forces training), totaling 931 million euros, will be covered by a special fund set up earlier this year to finance the urgent modernization of the German armed forces.
Since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, European governments have increased defense spending in the face of the growing threat from Russia.
(Text: Thomas Escritt)
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