Decision comes amid disagreements between Germany and France over Europe's next-generation fighter jet program FCAS, according to Politico
The German government plans to purchase 15 additional F-35 fighter jets, increasing its planned fleet of the US-made aircraft from 35 to 50, according to a report.
The Politico news site said the decision follows Germany and France's failure to resolve disagreements over Europe's next-generation fighter jet program FCAS. This has prompted Berlin to acquire additional F-35s to address the resulting capability gap, according to the report.
When questioned by reporters during a press briefing in Berlin, German Defense Ministry spokesman Kenneth Harms did not confirm the report. "There are currently no plans in the Defense Ministry to procure further F-35s beyond those already contractually agreed," he stated, without providing additional details.
In 2022, Germany decided to purchase 35 F-35s to replace its aging Tornado fighter jets, which are capable of delivering nuclear bombs and deployed as part of NATO's nuclear deterrence policy.
The purchase will cost approximately €10 billion ($11.7 billion). The German Air Force will receive the first F-35s in 2026, with pilot and technician training beginning in the US. The fighter jets will be stationed at the Buchel Air Base from 2027 onward and will replace the aging Tornado aircraft by 2030.
