List of active equipment of the German Air Force

This list intends to give an accurate detail list of the equipment currently fielded by the German Air Force.

Aircraft of the German Air Force

Current fleet of the German Air Force

List of aeroplanes of the Luftwaffe

Aircraft	Variant	Origin	Type	In service	Notes
Combat aircraft
Eurofighter Typhoon	T1	Germany Italy Spain United Kingdom	Interceptor	31	Status: 138 in service (as of 2025) 33 Eurofighter T1 ordered, 2 retired 79 Eurofighter T2 ordered, 2 lost, 1 retired 31 Eurofighter T3A ordered
	T2		Swingrole jet fighter	76
	T3A		Swingrole jet fighter	31
Panavia Tornado	IDS	Germany Italy United Kingdom	Multirole jet fighter, nuclear deterrent bomber	63
Special mission aircraft
Panavia Tornado	ECR	Germany Italy United Kingdom	SEAD, ECR (Electronic Combat Reconnaissance)	21
Military Transport / Aerial refueling
Airbus A400M	A400M	Spain Belgium France Germany Turkey United Kingdom	Tactical airlifter, strategic airlifter, aerial refueling	52	A total of 53 A400M are on order. Equipment of the A400M of the Bundeswehr: at least 4 refuelling kits 23 DIRCM (Directed Infrared Counter Measures) systems ordered in June 2025
Lockheed Martin C-130 Super Hercules	C-130J-30	United States	Tactical airlifter	3
Lockheed Martin C-130 Super Hercules	KC-130J	United States	Tactical airlifter, aerial refueling	3
Trainer aircraft
Panavia Tornado	IDS trainer	Germany Italy United Kingdom	Conversion trainer	2
Northrop T-38	T-38C	United States	Advanced training	46	Based at Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas.
Grob G 120	G 120TP	Germany	Ab initio trainer	2

List of helicopters of the Luftwaffe

Aircraft	Variant	Image	Origin	Type	In service	Notes
Airbus Helicopters H145	EC645 T2 LUH SOF		Germany	Light utility	16 (+ 10 on order)
Sikorsky CH-53	CH-53G, CH-53GA, CH-53GS		United States Germany (under licence)	Heavy transport helicopter	81	First delivered in 1972, 112 aircraft received in total. To be replaced with 60 CH-47F Block II (SR AAR).

List of military aircraft of the Executive Transport Wing

Aircraft	Variant	Origin	Type	In service	Notes
Transport - "Grey Fleet"
Airbus A321neo	A321LR Long range	France Germany	Transport, MEDEVAC (Medical evacuation)	2
Special mission aircraft - "White Fleet"
Airbus A319	A319OH Offener Himmel	France Germany	Reconnaissance under the Open Skies Treaty	1	In service since June 2019.
Transport - "White Fleet"
Airbus A350	ACJ350	France Germany	VIP transport, troops transport	3	Entered service between January 2021 and March 2023.
Airbus A321	A321-200	France Germany	VIP transport, troops transport	1
Airbus A319	A319CJ	France Germany	VIP transport	2	In service since 2010.
Bombardier Global 5000	Global 5000	Canada	VIP transport	3
Bombardier Global 6000	Global 6000	Canada	VIP transport	3
Helicopter transport
Eurocopter AS532	AS532 U2	France	VIP transport	3	Operated by the Flugbereitschaft des Bundesministeriums der Verteidigung.

List of aircraft of the WTD61

Aircraft	Variant	Image	Origin	Type	In service	Notes
Pilatus PC-12	PC-12 NGX	(illustration)	Switzerland	Test pilot training (and transport aircraft)	1

Externally owned aircraft

International collaborations

Aircraft	Variant	Origin	Operator	Type	In service	Notes
Aerial refueling
Airbus A330 MRTT Multi-Role Tanker Transport	A330-200 MRTT	France Germany Spain United Kingdom	MMF [de] Multinational MRTT Fleet (Belgium, Czechia, Denmark, Germany, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Sweden)	Tanker, transporter, medical evacuation aircraft	9 (+3 on order)	Based at the Eindhoven Air Base in the Netherlands. Orders (+ nations initiating / joining the programme): 2 in July 2016 (Netherlands, Luxembourg) 5 in September 2018 (Germany, Norway) 1 in February 2018 (Belgium) 1 in September 2020 (Luxembourg) 1 in March 2023 (Belgium) 2 in June 2025 (Sweden, Denmark) The first aircraft entered service in June 2020, the ninth in February 2025).
A330 MRTT MEDEVAC kit	A330 MRTT	European Union		MEDEVAC kit Medical evacuation kit	1	One of the MRTT aircraft of the Multinational MRTT Fleet comes with the MEDEVAC kits. Kit with: 6 ICU, 16 stretchers and 21 chairs for medical support.
Air surveillance
Boeing E-3 Sentry	E-3A	United States	NAEW&CF programme (NATO Airborne Early Warning & Control Force) (Belgium, Canada, Czechia, Denmark, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Turkey, Spain, United States)	AEW&C Airborne early warning and control	14	Based at NATO Air Base Geilenkirchen, Germany. 18 E-3 used initially, and to be replaced by the E-7 Wedgetail, of which 6 were ordered in January 2024.
Drones
Northrop Grumman RQ-4 Global Hawk	RQ-4D Phoenix (Block 40)	United States	AGS (Alliance Ground Surveillance) (Bulgaria, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Germany, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Norway, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, United Kingdom, United States)	UCAV, HALE, ISR Unmanned combat aerial vehicle high altitude long endurance, intelligence surveillance reconnaissance	5

Aircraft provided by contractors

Aircraft	Variant	Image	Origin	Contractor	Type	In service	Notes
Aircraft
PZL M28 Skytruck (with underbelly luggage pod)	—		Poland Ukraine	PD Sicherheit	Paratrooper training	3
Helicopters
Airbus H135	EC 135P2+	—	Germany	DL Helicopter Technik	Training helicopter	—	Contract extended in July 2021. 1 lost in July 2025. Approval for additional rentals in December 2025.
Airbus H145	H145 D2		Germany	NHV [de]	Training helicopter	1	Used to train KSK pilots.
Airbus H145	H145 D3		Germany	NHV [de]	Training helicopter	2	Used to train KSK pilots.

Aircraft on lease

Aircraft	Variant	Image	Origin	Type	In service	Notes
UAVs
IAI Heron	Heron TP (Eitan)		Israel	ISR UCAV Intelligence surveillance reconnaissance, Unmanned combat aerial vehicle	5	5 Heron 1 were leased until July 2023 when it was retired after 13 years in service. Leasing contract for 5 drones signed in 2018. 3 planned to be purchased as of June 2025.

Future aircraft

Aircraft on order

Aircraft	Variant	Image	Origin	Type	Quantity ordered	Planned to enter service in	Notes
Combat aircraft
Eurofighter Typhoon	T4 Quadriga 1-seat		Germany Italy Spain United Kingdom	Swingrole	30	2028	3 aircraft will be used for further development of the Eurofighter programme.
	T4 Quadriga 2-seat	—	Germany Italy Spain United Kingdom	Swingrole	8	2028
	T5	—	Germany Italy Spain United Kingdom Sweden	Swingrole	20	2031	Purchase approved in October 2025, worth €3.75 billion.
	ECR	—	Germany Italy Spain United Kingdom Sweden	SEAD / ECR Suppression of enemy air defence / Electronic Combat Reconnaissance	15	2030	Development contract signed in November 2023. Transformed from existing 2-seat Eurofighter. Saab Arexis sensor suite selected in March 2024, support by Helsing for the AI platform. Contract for the jamming pods signed in autumn 2025.
Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II	F-35A		United States	Swingrole / nuclear deterrent bomber	35	2027	Purchased to continue German contribution to the Nuclear sharing B61-12
Special mission aircraft
PEGASUS	Bombardier Global 6000		Germany Canada United States	SIGINT Signal intelligence	3	2026	Ordered in 2021, to enter service by 2025 and replace the Eurohawk.
UAVs
Eurodrone	—		France Germany Italy Spain	ISR UCAV Intelligence surveillance reconnaissance, Unmanned combat aerial vehicle	21	2030	7 systems on contract with 21 drones for €3 billion
Combat helicopters
H145	H145M LKH Leichter Kampfhubschrauber		Germany	Light attack helicopter	10	2025 - 2026	82 ordered in total for the Bundeswehr, this includes 10 for the Air Force, 72 for the Army. German Air Force orders: 5 in December 2023 5 in December 2025
Transport helicopters
CH-47 Chinook	CH-47F Block II SR AAR Standard range, air-to-air refueling		United States	Heavy transport helicopter	60	2027 - 2032	Ordered in July 2023.

Aircraft planned to be ordered

Aircraft	Variant	Image	Origin	Type	Quantity planned	Planned to enter service in	Notes
Combat aircraft
— Next Generation Fighter (Future Combat Air System)	—		France Germany Spain	6th generation swingrole jet fighter	—	2040	Successor of the Eurofighter.
Special mission aircraft
PEGASUS	Global 6000		Germany Canada United States	SIGINT Signal intelligence	—	—	Hensoldt hinted in October 2024 that there would be additional aircraft purchased by the German Air Force as three aircraft seem insufficient for the needs.
Airbus A400M	A400M LuWES "Luftgestützte Wirkung im elektromagnetischen Spektrum"		Germany Spain Belgium France Turkey United Kingdom	Electronic warfare	—	—	Airborne Effects in the Electromagnetic Spectrum planned to be purchased, potential platforms include Airbus airliners or the A400M.
Drones
Airbus / Helsing wingman concept	—	—	Germany	Stealthy UAV, loyal wingman	—	—	Drone to support Eurofighter T5, and the SCAF. MUM-T (manned-unmanned teaming) capable aircraft.
Transport helicopters
NATO NGRC NATO Next Generation Rotorcraft Capability	—	—	France Germany Greece Italy Netherlands United Kingdom	Medium helicopter, transport / ASW / ASuW / SAR / VERTREP	—	—
VIP transport
Transport helicopter to be selected	—	—	—	VIP transport	3	—	€200 million budget for the replacement of the 3 Eurocopter AS532. It is planned to be replaced from 2027 (after 30 years in service).

Armament

Weapons and equipment used on each aircraft

Panavia Tornado IDS variant

The IDS standard variant is a strike aircraft. The Recce sub-variant can perform all tasks of the IDS, and is capable of performing reconnaissance missions with a pod. This variant has a modified cockpit cabling and a different cockpit display (ASSTA-1 modernisation).

Cannon: Mauser BK-27
Air-Air missiles: AIM-9L Sidewinder, IRIS-T
Air-ground missiles: AGM-88B HARM Block IIIB, Taurus KEPD 350, Laser-Guided Sidewinder
Guided bombs: GBU-24 Paveway III (MK-84 or BLU-109), GBU-38 / 54 JDAM (MK-82 bomb body),
Unguided bombs: MK-82
Nuclear bombs: B61-3 and B61-4
Pods: Litening II (Rafael), Airborne Reconnaissance Pod II (ARP II)

Tornado ECR

An electronic warfare and SEAD / DEAD aircraft .

Cannon: Mauser BK-27
Air-to-Air missiles: AIM-9L, IRIS-T
Anti-radiation missiles: AGM-88B HARM Block IIIB
Guided bombs: GBU-38 / 54 JDAM (MK-82 bomb body)
Unguided bombs: MK-82, MK-83, MK-84
Other: ECM pods (including jammers), passive radar, and ECCM equipment

Eurofighter T1

Cannon: Mauser BK-27
Air-Air missiles: AIM-9L, AIM-120B AMRAAM, IRIS-T
Guided bombs: GBU-48 Paveway III
Pods: Rafael Litening III

Eurofighter T2, T3 and T4

Cannon: Mauser BK-27
Air-Air missiles: AIM-9L, AIM-120B, IRIS-T, AIM-120C5, Meteor
Air-ground missiles: AGM-88E Brimstone 3
Guided bombs: GBU-48 Paveway III, GBU-54 Laser-JDAM,
Pods: Rafael Litening III, Litening V ordered

Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II

Cannon: GAU-22/A
Air-Air missiles: AIM-9X, AIM-120 AMRAAM, AIM-132 ASRAAM, Meteor
Air-Surface missile: AGM-158 Joint Air to Surface Standoff Missile, AGM-158C LRASM
Guided bombs: Joint Direct Attack Munition, Paveway

Complementary elements for some weapons

Conventional Guided bombs:

GBU-24, 907 kg bomb with a Paveway II semi-active laser guidance system, a FBM21 fuse and:
- MK-84 bomb body, or
- BLU-109 penetration bomb
GBU-38 JDAM, 277 kg bomb with a JDAM guidance system (GPS/INS), MK-82 bomb body and FBM21 fuse.
GBU-54 Laser-JDAM, 277 kg bomb made of the L-JDAM guidance system (passive laser seeker, GPS/INS), MK-82 bomb body and a FBM21 bomb fuse and an APS (adjustable proximity sensor).
GBU-48, 454 kg bomb made of the Enhanced Paveway II guidance system (passive laser seeker, GPS/INS), MK-83 bomb body and FBM21 bomb fuse.

Equipment for future German aircraft

F-35 (future equipment)

Future aircraft for the German Air Force, to take over the nuclear deterrence mission and to be used as a strike aircraft as well:

Cannon: GAU-22/A (25 mm)
Air-to-Air missiles: AIM-9X Block 2, AIM-120C8
Air-ground missiles: AGM-158B/B2 JASSM-ER
Guided bombs: GBU-53, GBU-31 (BLU-109 2000LB HP), GBU-54 (MK82)
Other: DSU-38 Laser Illuminated Target Detectors for GBU-54
Nuclear bomb: B61-12 (it will equip the F-35, designed to be stored internally)

Eurofighter ECR

Electronic Attack configuration
- Canon: Mauser BK-27
- Air-to-Air missiles: 2 IRIS-T, 4 Meteor
- Anti-radiation missiles: 2 AGM-88E
- Pod: 2 escort jammer Saab Arexis, 3 fuel tanks
SEAD configuration
- Canon: Mauser BK-27
- Air-to-Air missiles: 2 IRIS-T, 4 Meteor
- Anti-radiation missiles: 2 AGM-88E, 6 SPEAR-EW
- Pod: 3 fuel tanks

Equipment ordered

System	Origin	Type	Number	Notes
Air-to-air missiles
Meteor	United Kingdom Germany France Italy Spain Sweden	Air-to-air missiles	— (€521 million)	Approved for purchase in November 2024 (third batch). Approved for purchase in December 2025 (fourth batch), order in January 2016.
AIM-120C AMRAAM	United States	Air-to-air missiles	105	Ordered with the F-35A.
AIM-120C-8 AMRAAM	United States	Air-to-air missiles	— (969 planned)	In July 2023, the US State Department approved the sale of AIM-120C8 for €2.61 billion. It includes: 969 AIM-120C-8 + 12 guidance sections + Captive Air Training Missiles + support equipment. In May 2024, the Parliamentary Budget Committee approved the purchase of an unknown quantity of missiles for €178 million.
IRIS-T	Germany	Air-to-air missiles	120 (+ 1,160 in option)	Ordered in December 2023. €108 million for the 120 first missiles in the LFK version (air-air). Approval to modernise and maintain the IRIS-T missiles in December 2024.
Air-to-ground missiles
Brimstone 3	United Kingdom	Air-to-surface missiles	379	Framework agreement for 3,266 missiles approved in June 2024. Orders: June 2024 379 missiles for €376 million 274 missiles + launchers ordered to MBDA Deutschland 29 missiles for operational testing + 75 missiles for telemetry
Joint Strike Missile	Norway	Cruise missile	—	Planned to purchase JSM for a value of NOK 6.5 billion expressed by the government. It needs to be confirmed by the parliament. At the end of June 2025, the German and Norwegian defence ministers signed an agreement for a value of €478.7 million. The first delivery is expected before the end of 2027.
Taurus NEO	Germany	Cruise missile	—	Ordered in December 2025.
Pods
Litening V	Israel	Targeting pod	90	Approved for purchase in June 2025, budget of €350 million. Contract in August 2025.

Potential future equipment

The equipment mentioned here is part of the program NNbS, ("Nah- und Nächstbereichs-schutz"), close air-support for the ground troops. At the moment, no decision has been made regarding the operator of those systems, it could go to the Bundeswehr or the Luftwaffe. In 2010, the German forces decided to retire the last 90 Flakpanzer Gepard. In 2012, the air defense of the Bundeswehr was completely disbanded. The Luftwaffe was to support the German forces with their Wiesel 2 Ozelot, and German soldiers had access to FIM-92 Stinger MANPADS.

This equipment described below is the most likely candidates that have been mentioned by the German military and by the German defence industry.

System	Image	Notes
AGM-158B JASSM-ER		75 planned by the Bundeswehr.

Air defence systems

Current air defence systems

Surface-to-air missiles

Model	Image	Origin	Type	Range	Altitude	Number	Notes
Arrow 3
Arrow 3		Israel United States	Anti-ballistic missile air defence system	—	> 100 km (62 mi)	1 (+2 on order)	System designed and made jointly by IAI and Boeing. Orders: 2023 - 3 Arrow 3 systems funds approved in June 2023 American export approval in August 2023 agreement between Germany and Israel for 3 systems in September 2023 contract signed in November 2023 (€3.5 billion) 2025 / 2026 funds approved in December 2025 for additional missiles and launchers (USD $3.1 billion more), contract signed in January 2026 Deliveries: First entered in service the 3 December 2025, it was activated at the Holzdorf Air Base.
Arrow 3 C2	—	Israel United States	Command and control	—	—	1 (+2 on order)
EL/M-2080S Super Green Pine		Israel	3D, L-band (IEEE), AESA, warning and fire control radar	900 km (560 mi)	—	1 (+2 on order)
Arrow 3 - communication system	—	Israel	Data-link missile-radar	—	—	—
Arrow 3 launcher		Israel	Transporter erector launcher semi-trailer	—	—	—	Launcher with 4 missiles, unknown number of launchers per fire unit.
Arrow 3 missile		Israel United States	Anti-ballistic missile	> 150 to 200 km (93 to 124 mi)	> 100 km (62 mi)	—	It can shoot a ballistic missile with a range of 2,400 km (1,500 mi), with exo-atmospheric capabilities.
MiM-104 Patriot
MIM-104 Patriot Mobile and Protected Signals Intelligence		Germany United States	Medium range anti-air missile fire unit	—	—	9	During Cold War, Germany had 36 Patriot systems in service. As of May 2025, the German Air Force operates 9 Patriot systems. The systems in service are upgraded to PAC-3 standard, and it is equipped with PAC-2 and PAC-3 CRI missiles in service. Germany has also PAC-3 MSE and PAC-2 GEM-T missiles on order. The launchers will be converted to be capable to operate the PAC-3 MSE missiles. Budget for the conversion of the launcher approved in December 2025 and for new trucks (guided missile transporter and trailer, swap bodies for power supply systems and semi-trailer tractors).
IRIS-T SLM
IRIS-T SLM Part of the ESSI		Germany	SHORAD missile fire unit	150 to 200 km (93 to 124 mi)	150 to 200 km (93 to 124 mi)	1 (+5 on order)	Six fire units were purchased in July 2023 for €950 million and the delivery will start from 2024, 8 in total are expected eventually. First delivery in August 2024.
Airbus IBMS-FS Integrated Battle Management Software Fire Control System	—	Germany	Command and control	—	—		It's the TOC (Tactical Operations Centre) of the fire unit.
Hensoldt TRML-4D		Germany	GaN, AESA, 4D, fire acquisition radar	250 km (160 mi) (instrumented range) 60 km (37 mi) (missile track range)	—	1 (+5 on order)	Sensor of the IRIS-T SLM fire unit.
IRIS-T SLM launcher		Germany	Transporter erector launcher	—	—	3 (+15 on order)	3 launchers per fire unit, but up to 8 possible.
IRIS-T SLM missile		Germany Italy Sweden Greece Norway Spain	Infrared homing, short range air-to-air missile	20 km (12 mi)	40 km (25 mi)	—	It is based on the IRIS-T air-to-air missile equipped with an enlarged rocket motor, data link, and jettisonable drag-reducing nose cone.
Ozelot
Ozelot LeFlaSys (leichtes Flugabwehrsystem)		Germany United States	Light SHORAD batteries	4.8 km (3.0 mi)	3.5 km (2.2 mi)	5	System based on Wiesel 2. Operated by the 3rd Squadron of 61 Surface-to-Air Missile Group.
Ozelot BF/UF FlaFührung		Germany	Command and control	—	—	10
Ozelot AFF		Germany Sweden	Mobile air surveillance radar	20 km (12 mi)	—	7	Equipment: HARD-improved radar (X-band (IEEE), 3D, known in Sweden as PS-91) IFF MSR 200 XE
Ozelot - ASRAD FlaRaWaTrg		Germany	Multi-launch system	—	—	50 (+4 in storage)	The weapon carrier is based on the Wiesel 2. Equipment: Missile launcher with 4 Stinger missiles ready to fire, 4 in storage EO / IR sensor Radio system
FIM-92 Stinger		United States	Infrared homing, -short range surface-to-air missile	5.5 km (3.4 mi)	3.5 km (2.2 mi)	—

Air surveillance systems

Model	Image	Origin	Type	Range	Quantity	Notes
Fixed early warning radars
HADR NF		Germany Israel	Ballistic missiles early-warning, 3D, S-band (IEEE), AESA radar	400 km (250 mi) (air targets) 2,000 km (1,200 mi) (targets in orbit)	4	Supplied by IAI ELTA and Hensoldt.
Ground Master 406F		France United States	Early warning, 3D, S-band (IEEE), AESA radar	450 km (280 mi)	6	Modified variant of the GM403 for the German forces, for a fixed radar system. Operated by the "Operational Command Service" of the Luftwaffe (EinsFüDstLw). Manufactured by Thales Raytheon Systems.
RRP 117 [de] Remote Radar Post		United States Germany	Early warning, 3D, D-band (IEEE), solid-state radar	9 to 463 km (5.6 to 287.7 mi)	8	Under radome, in service since 1998. Modifications made by Siemens. To be modernised (December 2025 approval).
Mobile early warning radars
Selex RAT-31DL VERALÜ		Italy	Mobile early warning, 3D, L-band (IEEE), AESA radar	400 km (250 mi) (air targets) 30 km (19 mi) (altitude)	3	2 in service since 2011, 1 additional since 2023. The components are the radar and two 20-foot ISO containers.
Airport surveillance radar
Hensoldt’s ASR-S	(Illustration)	Germany	Airport surveillance radar, S-band (IEEE)	100 km (62 mi)	20	Radar used for: approach control at the airfields airspace surveillance in order to coordinate and integrate the military movements within the civilian traffic

Future air defence systems

System on order

System	Image	Origin	Type	Number	Notes
SAM Systems
MIM-104 Patriot PAC-3+ Part of the ESSI		Germany United States	SAM /Anti-ballistic missile	8	Orders: 4 fire units ordered to Raytheon, confirmed in March 2024, $1.2 billion cost. 4 fire units approved by the parliament in July 2024 for €1.35 billion The contracts include the fire units, spare parts and support services.
SAM missiles
MIM-104 Patriot - PAC-2 GEM-T	—	Germany United States	Surface-to-air missiles	200 (+ 300 on option)	Framework agreement for up to 500 missiles approved in December 2023 for €3.01 billion. The missiles will be assembled in Germany, and the main subcontractors will be MBDA, Bayern Chemie, TDW Gesellschaft für Wirksysteme, Sener Aerospacial and RTX. Orders: 100 confirmed order for €602.1 million 100 ordered in August 2024 for €430 million (after approval by the Bundestag in July 2024)
MIM-104 Patriot - PAC-3 MSE		United States	Surface-to-air missiles	248	Germany cleared by DSCA to purchase up to 600 missiles in August 2024. In December 2024, the German parliament approved the purchase of 120 and 128 missiles in two different instances. Additional purchase approved in December 2025.

Air defence planned acquisitions

System	Image	Origin	Type	Number	Notes
IRIS-T SLX	—	Germany	Medium range anti-air missile fire unit	50
IRIS-T SLM	—	Germany	SHORAD missile fire unit	—

Navigation equipment

Current navigation equipment

Model	Image	Origin	Type	Quantity	Notes
TACAN		Germany	Tactical air navigation	—

Space equipment

Current space equipment

Military satellites

Model	Image	Origin	Type	In service	Notes
Communications
SATCOMBw-1	(illustration)	Germany	Geostationary communication satellites	1	Operated at an altitude of 36,000 km. The communication systems work in the Ku-Band and C-Band.
SATCOMBw-2	(illustration)	Germany	Geostationary communication satellites	1
Surveillance / reconnaissance
SAR-Lupe		Germany	SAR reconnaissance satellite Synthetic-aperture radar	5	They are at an orbit of 500 km. An X-band radar is used by the satellite.
SARah [de]	—	Germany	SAR reconnaissance satellite Synthetic-aperture radar	3	Successor of the SAR-Lupe that operates at an orbit of 750 km. The first one is in service. 2 additional that were launched have had problems entering service. The antennas deployed after manoeuvres. Testing are taking place. If they are not operational, they will be replaced.
CSO Composante Spatiale Optique		France	High resolution optical reconnaissance satellite	3	Operated by the French Space Force, images supplied to the German Armed Forces through the MUSIS programme.
R&D satellite
H2Sat [de] Heinrich Hertz	—	Germany	Research geostationary communication satellite	1	To be used for scientific and technological verifications. Based on the SmallGEO (LUXOR) satellite. Launched by the last Ariane 5.

Commercial / civilian satellites

Contractor	Model	Image	Origin	Type	In service	Notes
Communications
Intelsat (through the German comapany MilSat Services)	—	(illustration)	United States	Communication satellite constellation	—	T-AmtBw signed a contract in 2006 with MilSat Services GmbH for commercial transmission capabilities.
Surveillance / reconnaissance
ICEYE SAR "SPOCK 1"	—	—	Finland Germany	SAR reconnaissance satellite Synthetic-aperture radar	—	ICEYE / Rheinmetall collaboration, ground equipment, AI-imagery analysis.
Planet Labs	—	—	United States Germany	Satellite imagery	—	€240 million contract signed in July 2025 with access to PlanetScope and SkySat data and AI systems.
Geo-locating
Galileo PRS	—	—	European Union	Military geo-locating satellites	—

Future space equipment

Space equipment ordered

Aircraft	Variant	Image	Origin	Type	Quantity ordered	Notes
Space plane
POLARIS Aurora	—	—	Germany	Hypersonic reusable space place	—
Communications
SATCOMBw	SATCOMBw-3	(illustration)	Germany	Geostationary communication satellite	2	Contract signed for the next-generation of communication satellite that will succeed to the SATCOMBw-1 and SATCOMBw-2. It will be launched by two Ariane 6 in 2029.
Earth surface equipment
Indra S3TSR "L-Guard" (LEO- Ground based Upscaled AESA RaDar)	—	—	Spain	Space surveillance radar	1	Low Earth orbit surveillance radar operating from 200 to 2,000 km. Part of the WRÜbwR programme (Weltraumüberwachungsradars), approved for purchase in December 2024. Ordered in February 2025 to Indra.

Space equipment planned to be ordered

Germany plans to spend €35 billion on space security (September 2025), it includes satellite constellations, ground stations, secure launch capabilities into space.

Aircraft	Variant	Image	Origin	Type	Planned quantity	Notes
Communications
SATCOMBw	SATcom Stufe 4	(illustration)	—	SATcom Level 4 - LEO Satellite communication - low earth orbit	~ 100	Planned investments.
Surveillance
Space-based signals intelligence	—	—	Germany	ELINT / SIGINT satellite	—	Planned investments, expected to be supplied by Rohde & Schwarz and Orbint GmbH.