BERLIN (Sputnik) — Majority of the jets are 23-34 years old, they are considered obsolete. However, Bundeswehr's Eurofighter jets that were acquired to replace them are in similar conditions — 37 of them are operational out of 68 aircraft.
The experts characterized the overall situation in the German Air Force as unsatisfactory.
On Tuesday, the German government approved operations by its troops against Daesh in Syria.
The mission against Daesh, outlawed in Russia and many other countries, will involve up to 1,200 German troops. The German Armed Forces plan to engage several Tornado reconnaissance combat aircraft and a frigate to support the French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle in the Mediterranean Sea. An aerial refuelling aircraft, satellite reconnaissance and headquarters staff will support the mission.