Defense Role of Eurofighter: Impact on Security, Industrial Sector, and National Identity
The Eurofighter program, a collaborative effort between Airbus and other partners, has significantly bolstered NATO's air policing operations in 2024, particularly on the alliance's eastern flank. This is evident in the German Air Force's ongoing mission in Romania.
In August 2025, Germany deployed five Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft and approximately 170 personnel to Romania for an eight-month commitment as part of NATO’s Enhanced Air Policing South (eAPS) mission. This deployment aims to provide robust airspace surveillance and rapid interception capabilities in a highly contested and strategically sensitive region bordering Ukraine.
The Eurofighters stationed in Romania can reach speeds up to Mach 2 and are equipped with advanced air-to-air missiles like the Meteor and IRIS-T. This capability allows them to swiftly intercept potential air threats, enhancing NATO’s response time against emerging aerial threats.
The presence of Eurofighter jets underscores NATO’s commitment to collective defense and regional security, sending a strong political signal of resolve to both allies and adversaries.
The patrols in Romania and Poland have evolved in response to Russia’s intensified use of missile, drone, and hypersonic attacks in nearby Ukraine. NATO’s Eurofighters play a frontline role in defending the airspace over Eastern Europe, contributing to a dynamic air policing posture that counters complex threats such as ballistic missiles and swarm drones.
Eurofighters accounted for 80% of operational missions among the partner nations (Germany, Italy, Spain, UK) in 2023 and 2024, reflecting their central role in ongoing NATO air operations. Recent incidents in August 2025 illustrate the operational readiness of Eurofighters; they were scrambled from Romania during Russian missile and drone attacks near the NATO border to monitor and defend the airspace, though no violations were reported during that specific event.
Looking beyond 2024, the Eurofighter platform continues to be a backbone for NATO’s air policing missions, with partner nations reaffirming its importance. Ongoing modernization and mutual agreements between manufacturers and partner nations (such as Türkiye and the UK) indicate the Eurofighter will sustain and possibly expand its role in NATO air security.
In summary, the Eurofighter program is a crucial asset for NATO’s air policing in 2024 and beyond, providing advanced intercept capabilities, deterrence, and adaptability to modern aerial threats, especially along NATO’s eastern borders adjacent to ongoing conflicts. The German deployment to Romania exemplifies this commitment in practice.
References:
[1] NATO.int. (2025). Germany strengthens NATO’s air policing in Romania. https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/news_192624.htm
[2] Airbus.com. (2025). Eurofighter Typhoon. https://www.airbus.com/defence/products/eurofightertyphoon.html
[3] DefenseNews.com. (2025). NATO Eurofighters intercept Russian aircraft near Ukraine. https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2025/08/18/nato-eurofighters-intercept-russian-aircraft-near-ukraine/
[4] Eurofighter.com. (2025). Eurofighter Typhoon. https://www.eurofighter.com/en/aircraft/eurofighter-typhoon/
