German Air Force conducts first live-fire test of Meteor air-to-air missile from Eurofighter

The test was conducted over the Atlantic Ocean at a British military range. To facilitate this, Luftwaffe Eurofighters were temporarily based at RAF Lossiemouth in Scotland, as no German range provides the necessary space for effective testing of this calibre.

Details of the event have not been disclosed, but it represents a significant milestone for the German Air Force. The use of the British range highlights the collaborative nature of European defence capabilities and the limitations of domestic testing facilities in Germany.

Previously, in the summer of 2021, Germany conducted flights with MBDA Meteor missiles mounted on Eurofighters. These earlier tests, which did not include live firings, were focused on verifying missile specifications and assessing the aircraft’s performance with the advanced weapon.

Luftwaffe Eurofighters are equipped with a range of air-to-air missiles, including the short-range IRIS-T, medium-range AIM-120 AMRAAM, and the long-range Meteor. This versatility provides a significant tactical edge against potential adversaries. The Eurofighter platform itself continues to evolve, benefiting from upgrades to its radar systems and the passive PIRATE infrared search and track system.

Germany is not alone in integrating the Meteor missile into its air fleet. The UK, Spain, and Italy also use the Meteor with their Eurofighters. Additionally, the missile has been adopted by France for the Dassault Rafale and Sweden for the Saab JAS-39 Gripen. The UK is also nearing completion of its integration process with the F-35B Lightning II.