Germany is reportedly planning to purchase an additional 15 F-35 fighter jets, according to a report by Der Spiegel on Monday. The "supplementary procurement" is listed as a military project of the Ministry of Defense in a confidential briefing to the Bundestag, with costs estimated at 2.5 billion euros.
The F-35 is considered one of the most advanced fighter jets in the world. The German government had previously approved the purchase of 35 jets in 2022, with the first aircraft expected to arrive for the Air Force (Luftwaffe) in 2027. From the Bundeswehr’s perspective, the acquisition of additional F-35s is essential. Security sources told Der Spiegel that only a larger F-35 fleet would allow the Bundeswehr to fulfill Germany’s commitments to NATO.
This also involves Germany’s role in the so-called nuclear sharing arrangement, under which U.S. allies are expected to transport U.S. nuclear bombs in a crisis. Currently, this mission is carried out by the Bundeswehr’s Tornado jets, which are set to be retired in the coming years due to age.
To further strengthen the air force, the Bundeswehr recently ordered 20 additional Eurofighter jets. NATO has significantly increased its defense and deterrence plans in response to the Russian threat. Air superiority is considered a central element of the new strategy agreed upon by heads of state and government at the NATO summit in The Hague.
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