Germany to Award Saab, Northrop €1.2 Billion Fighter Update

Germany plans to award Saab and Northrop Grumman a €1.2 billion ($1.41 billion) contract to fit its Eurofighter fleet with equipment needed to use advanced missiles to detect and destroy ground-based air defense systems.

The contract could also pave the way for cooperation between Germany and Sweden on the development of a next-generation fighter jet, which is needed to replace the Eurofighter fleet in the 2040s, according to people familiar with the matter. That program, the Future Combat Air System, has faced slow progress as Dassault Aviation SA seeks a controlling role over the objections of German partner Airbus.