Germany's Defence Ministry insisted today that it is sticking to its plan to order 180 Eurofighter jets, despite a magazine report that it was considering buying fewer planes.
"The air force needs 180 planes. This requirement will be reflected in the plan for materials and equipment, which is being drawn up. The minister is sticking to this number. It is a contractual commitment that Germany stands by," a ministry spokesman said.
German magazine Der Spiegelsaid today that there were increasing signs Britain aimed to trim its order of 232 jets, which would enable Germany to do the same.
Germany's 180 jets could cost €24 billion ($30.38 billion), the German defence budget for one year. Germany is already looking for ways to cap its deficit which is set to breach EU rules for a third consecutive year in 2004.
Der Spiegelsaid Britain was looking to slow down the production of the Eurofighter and had found German members of parliament, including MPs from the conservative opposition, favourable to the idea.
A British cut could enable Germany to do the same without angering its partners.
Europe's biggest fighter jet programme is at a critical juncture as first deliveries begin and four nations battling tight budgets settle details of a second batch of some 236 planes.
The four backing nations - Britain, Germany, Italy and Spain - have ordered 620 in total of the jets being jointly built by EADS, Britain's BAE Systems and Alenia Aerospazio of Italy.