Panavia Tornado (German Air Force)

The Tornado grew out of a 1960s requirement shared by the United Kingdom, West Germany and Italy. Panavia Aircraft GmbH was formed by the three nations to design and build the aircraft, with the variable-sweep wing chosen so one design could serve as a low-level strike aircraft, an interceptor and a reconnaissance platform.

The Tornado IDS (Interdictor/Strike) became the most numerous version. Germany was the largest operator, flying the type with the Luftwaffe and the Navy before the naval wing's aircraft transferred to the Air Force. Production was split between factories in all three partner nations.

The Tornado's variable-geometry wings sweep back for fast low-level flight and extend forward for takeoff, landing and fuel-efficient cruise. Twin RB199 turbofans with reversers allow short-field operation, and terrain-following radar let crews fly very low at high speed in poor weather — a capability that defined the aircraft's role.

Luftwaffe Tornados carried out training across Europe and North America, famously using the low-level ranges at Goose Bay in Canada. The type served in the same period as the RAF's Tornado fleet, and both nations retired their air forces' IDS aircraft in the 2020s as the Eurofighter Typhoon took over.

Luftwaffe Tornados wear grey camouflage with the black Balkenkreuz iron cross on fuselage and wings and the German national flag on the tail, alongside a stylised Luftwaffe eagle crest. Registration numbers such as 46+28 identify individual aircraft. These markings distinguish German aircraft from the RAF's Tornado GR4s and Italian Air Force examples, which are common at European airshows.

Because RAF, German and Italian Tornados look almost identical in shape, the markings are the reliable way to tell them apart. The Luftwaffe variant has therefore become a sought-after catch for UK-based spotters, usually seen at NATO training detachments and European airshows rather than at UK bases.