Germany to buy up to 35 Lockheed F-35 fighter jets

On Mar 14, 2022

Germany will purchase F-35 fighter jets built by U.S. firm Lockheed Martin to replace its ageing Tornado aircraft, according to two government sources.

The Tornado is the only German jet capable of carrying U.S. nuclear bombs, stored in Germany, in case of a conflict.

However, the air force has been flying the jet since the 1980s, and Berlin is planning to phase it out between 2025 and 2030.

“The F-35 buy will be a blow for Boeing, whose F-18 was favoured by former German defence minister Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer to replace the Tornado.”

Chancellor Olaf Scholz two weeks ago backed the ongoing joint programme with Paris.

At the time, Scholz also announced that the Eurofighter jet, built by Franco-German Airbus, would be developed further to be capable of electronic warfare, a role the Tornado also fulfils.

Reuters

F-35 fighter jets Germany