By Andrea Thomas
BERLIN--Germany has cancelled the delivery of 37 Eurofighter
jets worth 3.5 billion euros ($4.8 billion), a parliament official
told The Wall Street Journal Wednesday.
German Deputy Defense Minister Stephane Beemelmans told a
meeting of the lower house of parliament's defense committee
Wednesday that Germany has cancelled the final tranche of 37 jets,
according to the person who attended the meeting and declined to be
identified. Germany had originally ordered 180 jets.
The decision came as the ministry cited cost reasons and said
there is no need for these additional jets, said the person.
The ministry cancelled the outstanding delivery on Dec. 17 with
MTU Aero Engines, the German engine maker, by agreeing to pay a
fine of EUR54 million.
The Eurofighter consortium includes Airbus Group NV and Italy's
Finmeccanica SpA.
The defense ministry couldn't immediately be reached for
comment.
A spokesman for the Defense & Space unit of Airbus Group NV,
which handles the German Eurofighter contract, didn't comment
immediately about changes to the German order. He said Germany now
operates 107 Eurofighters and has another 36 on contract before the
37 in question. The plan had been for Germany to take 180
Eurofighters.
--Dan Michaels contributed to this report.
Write to Andrea Thomas at andrea.thomas@wsj.com