Germany Eyes More U.S. F-35 Fighter Jets as European Program Stalls

Sources reveal Germany is negotiating to purchase additional American-made F-35 fighter jets, potentially bringing their total fleet to around 85 aircraft. The move comes as Germany's joint fighter development program with France faces significant challenges and potential abandonment.

Sources close to the matter reveal that Germany is exploring the acquisition of additional U.S.-manufactured F-35 fighter aircraft, a decision that would strengthen Berlin’s military ties with America while its collaborative European fighter initiative with France struggles to move forward.

According to two informed sources, German officials are engaged in discussions that could result in purchasing more than 35 extra jets. This would supplement the 35 aircraft Berlin ordered in 2022, with deliveries scheduled to commence later this year.

The possible procurement of additional Lockheed Martin stealth aircraft, each carrying a price tag exceeding $80 million, comes amid Washington’s push for European NATO members to boost their defense expenditures.

Should Germany proceed with all potential F-35 acquisitions alongside existing contracts, the nation’s fleet could reach approximately 85 aircraft. However, sources emphasize that the final decision remains undetermined.

Germany’s Defense Ministry has not provided immediate response to inquiries, while Pentagon officials directed questions back to German authorities. A Lockheed Martin representative stated the company remains focused on fulfilling Germany’s current F-35 orders.

Parliamentary sources indicated in October that Germany’s defense minister planned to order 15 additional F-35s, with an announcement expected in the near future, according to one source.

Growing Germany’s F-35 inventory would represent a notable strategic pivot toward enhanced military cooperation with the United States, moving away from European defense independence that France, a fellow EU member, strongly advocates.

Berlin and Paris find themselves at an impasse regarding their Future Combat Air System (FCAS) initiative, a troubled 100-billion-euro undertaking launched in 2017 to develop next-generation aircraft replacing French, German, and Spanish jets beginning in 2040. The emerging situation suggests both nations may ultimately abandon the FCAS effort.

Germany’s commitment to expanding its F-35 capabilities would carry significant implications for NATO, as the aircraft serves a crucial function in the alliance’s nuclear deterrent strategy.

Additional F-35 purchases would provide Germany breathing room to determine its approach to developing or partnering on future aircraft programs.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz raised questions Wednesday about whether his nation’s air force still requires a piloted sixth-generation fighter jet, as FCAS has attempted to create.

“Will we still need a manned fighter jet in 20 years’ time? Do we still need it, given that we will have to develop it at great expense?” Merz stated during Wednesday’s Machtwechsel podcast.

Germany’s 2022 F-35 purchase decision stemmed from NATO requirements to deploy U.S. nuclear weapons housed in Germany when necessary. The F-35 remains the sole Western fighter aircraft authorized to carry the latest B61 nuclear weapons and is essential for replacing Germany’s outdated Tornado jets currently performing this mission.

While defense insiders anticipate Germany and France will discontinue their joint fighter project, they expect continued collaboration on unmanned systems and digital warfare capabilities.

German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius indicated last week that FCAS’s future would be determined within days.