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MANCHING, GERMANY (BNS): The German Air Force has received the first two upgraded Tornado fighter bombers from European defence consortium Cassidian.

The two fighters, which were upgraded to the new ASSTA 3.0 (Avionics System Software Tornado Ada) capability standard, were delivered at the end of June.

"With ASSTA 3.0, the German Tornado fleet is being adapted to meet the Armed Forces' current requirement for all-weather, high-precision and network-centric capabilities," Erik Jensen, Head of Cassidian's Air Services business line, said during the handover ceremony attended by representatives of industry and the German Air Force.

The entire fleet of 85 Tornado GR4 strike fighters in service with Germany is scheduled to be upgraded to the new standard by 2018, Cassidian said.

The upgrades include integration of network-centric data communication system MIDS (Multifunctional Information Distribution System / Link 16), a state-of-the-art radio device, a digital video and data recorder (DVDR), and the integrated Laser Joint Direct Attack Munition (LJDAM) which can be guided to its target by means of satellite navigation or by laser.

The upgrade will enhance the service life of the Tornadoes beyond 2025.

The fighters are in service with Germany since 1970s.