On Monday, two German government sources said the government has decided in principle to buy F-35 fighter jets from American aerospace company Lockheed Martin to replace its fleet of Tornado jets.
BREAKING: Germany plans to purchase up to 35 F-35 jets
— Samuel Ramani (@SamRamani2) March 14, 2022
The number of jets that Germany plans to buy remains unclear but one source said that the country could buy up to 35 in order to develop its fleet with newer and stealthier aircraft.
In early February, a German defence source told Reuters that the government was leaning towards buying F-35 fighter jets but remained undecided. The German Tornado jets, which have been operational since the 1980s, are the only ones capable of carrying US nuclear bombs in times of conflict; however, Berlin is planning to phase them out between 2025 and 2030.
The purchase of F-35 jets would be a massive blow for Boeing, whose F-18 Super Hornet fighter jets were preferred by former Minister of Defence Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer to replace the Tornado jets. “We fully support the German government’s decision to evaluate what they are procuring. We are confident that our offer of Super Hornet and Growler is unmatched in cost, capability and commitment to Germany,” Boeing said.
BREAKING:
— Visegrád 24 (@visegrad24) March 14, 2022
Reuters reports that Germany will buy 35 F-35 fighters to replace its Tornado aircrafts, which are the only jets capable of carrying U.S. nuclear bombs, stored in GER.
It’s a blow to the plan of developing a joint Franco-German fighter jet to be ready in the 2040s. pic.twitter.com/gMzHejwO5w
Moreover, the purchase of the F-35 jets could also jeopardise Germany’s relations with France. Paris has been following Berlin’s negotiations with concern and the confusion over whether to choose the F-18s or the F-35s could sabotage the development of a joint German-Franco fighter jet set to be launched by the 2040s. France has warned that the purchase of F-35 jets could jeopardise their cooperative development programme.
Moreover, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said that he supported the joint development programme with France just two weeks ago. “The Eurofighter jet, built by Franco-German Airbus (AIR.PA), would be developed further to be capable of electronic warfare, a role the Tornado also fulfils,” Scholz had said.
If Germany goes ahead with the F-35, France could feel betrayed once again. France was previously angered by the US back in September, when it announced the AUKUS trilateral military partnership with Australia and the United Kingdom (UK). The partnership allows Australia to build a fleet of nuclear-powered submarines using technology shared by the partner. However, Australia abandoned a submarine deal worth billions with France to sign the agreement, prompting France to temporarily recall its ambassadors from the US and Australia.