Aerospace

Only 4 of Germany’s 128 Eurofighter Typhoon jets ‘ready for combat’ – report

Just four out of 128 Eurofighter jets operated by the German Air Force are ready to fly real combat missions due to dysfunctional self-defense systems and lack of air-to-air missiles, Spiegel magazine has revealed.

Spiegel’s Wednesday report said the problem with a critical device installed in the tips of the jet’s canard delta wings makes most of German Eurofighters unfit for service.

The device, known as Defensive Aids Sub-System (DASS), is designed to detect a missile attack and warn the pilot of the inbound threat. It also serves as chaff and flare dispenser and has an optional laser warning. About half a year ago, technicians discovered that the device is not properly cooled, causing significant damage to sensitive electronics, Spiegel said.