Germany’s defense ministry is planning to reduce its order for Eurofighter jets from 180 to 143, according to media reports on Thursday.

National news agency DPA quoted “government sources” as saying that the ministry’s number two, Stephane Beemelmans, had informed parliament’s defense committee about the decision late Wednesday.

The reduction had already been decided in late 2011 by the then-Defence Minister Thomas de Maziere, the report said.

Out of the total order, more than 100 jets worth around €14 billion euros ($19.2 billion) have already been delivered, it added. . . .

Beemelmans was fired from his post as secretary of state Thursday over a series of procurement problems, including of a scandal-tainted drone project, by new Defence Minister Ursula von der Leyen. . . .

Defence Committee chairman Hans-Peter Bartels meanwhile said Germany should further cut its Eurofighter fleet, according to business daily Handelsblatt.

“We should reduce the Euro Fighter fleet to 108 machines, that’s enough,” he said.

Image: German Eurofighter (photo: Kogo)