UPDATED: Berlin wants to buy 35 Lockheed F-35 fighter jets, def min tells parliament
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BERLIN, March 14 (Reuters) – Berlin aims to purchase 35 F-35 fighter jets built by Lockheed Martin LMT.N to replace its ageing Tornado aircraft in the role of nuclear sharing, the German defence ministry told parliament on Monday according to a document seen by Reuters.
“In a first step, we will put in a formal request with the U.S. government for the purchase of the F-35A in order to get clarity regarding delivery timelines and options for cooperation in training and maintenance,” the document said.
Earlier, Reuters reported that two government sources revealed that Germany will purchase F-35 fighter jets built by U.S. firm Lockheed Martin to replace its ageing Tornado aircraft, with one of the sources saying Berlin aims to buy up to 35 of the stealth jets.
A German defence source told Reuters in early February that Germany was leaning toward purchasing the F-35 but a final decision had not been taken.
The Tornado is the only German jet capable of carrying U.S. nuclear bombs, stored in Germany, in case of a conflict.
But the air force has been flying the jet since the 1980s, and Berlin is planning to phase it out between 2025 and 2030.
The F-35 buy will be a blow for Boeing BA.N, whose F-18 was favoured by former German defence minister Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer to replace the Tornado.
The decision could also upset France. Paris has watched Germany’s deliberations over the F-18 or more advanced F-35, concerned a deal could undermine the development of a joint Franco-German fighter jet that is supposed to be ready in the 2040s.
Chancellor Olaf Scholz two weeks ago backed the ongoing joint programme with Paris.
At the time, Scholz also announced that 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.
Photo – F-35B aircraft pass on a runway after landing at the Akrotiri Royal air forces base near city of Limassol, Cyprus. EPA-EFE/Petros Karadjias / POOL
