Berlin: Germany is preparing to order an additional 15 F-35 fighter jets from U.S. defense manufacturer Lockheed Martin, according to parliamentary sources cited by Reuters. The deal, reported by Spiegel magazine, is expected to cost around €2.5 billion, based on confidential documents submitted to the German parliament’s budget committee.
This new acquisition would expand Germany's F-35 fleet to 50 aircraft, gradually replacing its aging fleet of 85 Tornado jets. The Tornado jets currently play a key role in carrying U.S. nuclear bombs stored in Germany during times of conflict.
The decision follows Germany’s earlier denial in July of any plans to acquire additional F-35s. A recently expanded defense budget has provided the government with more flexibility for military procurement,