Germany has approved the purchase of 90 Litening 5 targeting pods for its Eurofighter Typhoon fleet, strengthening the Bundeswehr’s precision strike and reconnaissance capabilities. The deal highlights Germany’s long-standing defense partnership with Rafael and reflects a broader NATO shift toward multi-spectral sensors and stand-off targeting in contested environments. Litening 5 is already in service with 28 air forces worldwide, with more than 2,000 units delivered and over 2.2 million operational flight hours.
The fifth-generation pod features advanced mid- and short-wave infrared sensors, high-resolution color imaging, dual-wavelength laser designation, and optional synthetic aperture radar (SAR) for all-weather wide-area imaging. It supports both air-to-ground and air-to-air missions, including moving target tracking, automatic target recognition, UAV engagement, and missile cueing. Its platform-agnostic design allows integration with over 26 aircraft types and compatibility with a wide range of precision-guided munitions, while datalink capabilities ensure real-time operational flexibility.
By transitioning from Litening 3 to Litening 5, Germany emphasizes precision, survivability, and future adaptability in its Eurofighter fleet. The order aligns with a wider European trend of upgrading existing platforms with advanced sensors instead of relying solely on new aircraft acquisitions. With its proven combat record and modular growth options, Litening 5 reinforces Germany’s role in enhancing NATO’s interoperability and precision strike capabilities.
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