Eurofighter over Greifswald: Sudden descent causes excitement!

Eurofighter over Greifswald: Sudden descent causes excitement!

On Wednesday morning, July 16, 2025, a Eurofighter fighter aircraft caused a stir in the sky over Greifswald. Cell phone recordings documented the flying object, which was suddenly seen descending. According to a spokesman for the Bundeswehr Aviation Office, the aircraft belongs to the Tactical Air Force Squadron 73 from Laage, and there were no signs of an emergency, as [Nordkurier](https://www.nordkurier.de/regional/greifswald/kampf Flugzeug-der-bundeswehr-ueber-mv-ploetzlich-im-sinkflug-3762338) reports.

The radar data analysis showed that the Eurofighter varied its altitude between 457 and 6,096 meters within 30 minutes, while its speed also fluctuated. The flight took place mainly in the southwest of Greifswald and was carried out in compliance with flight operational regulations. During military flight operations, low-level flights, including over inhabited areas, are generally permitted, but with certain restrictions.

Regulations for low-level flights

The legal regulations stipulate that the minimum low altitude for combat aircraft is 1000 feet, i.e. around 300 meters. In exceptional cases, flights at altitudes of 500 feet (approx. 150 meters) are also permitted. Above large cities, such as those found in many parts of Germany, there is also a minimum altitude of 2,000 feet (approx. 600 meters). These regulations aim to ensure the safety of citizens while military aircraft conduct their exercises.

Low-level flights by Eurofighters also recently took place over Kirchheim, at altitudes between 300 and 665 meters. As Teckbote reports, these were routine training flights of the Tactical Air Force Squadron 31 from Nörvenich, North Rhine-Westphalia.

Military flight operations in Germany

In Germany, military flight operations are to be expected during the daytime low-altitude flight operating hours, which are Monday to Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. This regulation does not apply on weekends or public holidays. Pilots have to fly by sight and only have a few seconds to react to obstacles such as paragliders or kites. Having a good knack for better visibility and danger avoidance, which is why the German Hang Glider Association has informed the Bundeswehr about relevant airfields in order to take them into account in military flight planning, as DHV summarizes.

The number of military flights has fallen in recent years and citizens have the opportunity to direct questions or complaints about military flight operations directly to the Bundeswehr Aviation Office on 0800/8620730. With a watchful eye on the sky, it remains to be seen what other exciting developments await us in the future.