German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius is preparing to sign a new agreement with the U.S. defence giant Lockheed Martin (LMT.N) to purchase an additional 15 F-35 Lightning II fighter jets to replace the country’s existing Tornado fleet. Parliamentary sources familiar with the matter confirmed that the plan, worth approximately €2.5 billion ($2.9 billion), has been submitted to the budget committee by the Ministry of Defence.
The news was first reported by Der Spiegel; a parliamentary official who spoke to Reuters also confirmed the plan. However, the Defence Ministry in Berlin declined to comment officially, citing “ongoing negotiations.”
Next-Generation Fleet Modernisation
Germany has already ordered 35 F-35 fighter jets to replace its 85 Tornado aircraft scheduled for retirement. With the new additional order, the total could reach 50 aircraft. The F-35s, capable of carrying U.S. nuclear weapons stored in Germany, will play a key role in the country’s NATO deterrence missions.
Defence sources note that the additional purchase plan has been made possible by the country’s increased defence budget. Following the Russia-Ukraine war, Germany rapidly boosted its defence spending, launching a multibillion-euro investment programme through a “special fund.”
Risk of New Tensions Between Berlin and Paris
The new F-35 order could spark fresh disagreements in the FCAS (Future Combat Air System / SCAF) European joint fighter jet programme jointly pursued by Germany and France. The French government views Germany’s turn towards U.S.-made F-35s as a choice that could “undermine the strategic independence of the European defence industry.”
In July, the German government had denied plans for an additional order; however, due to the expanded budget and the rapid ageing of the Tornado fleet, the proposal has resurfaced. A military source familiar with the matter stated, “The purchase of 15 new F-35s was part of previous long-term fleet renewal discussions.”
