Germany plans to buy 15 more F-35 jets made in the US, sources say
German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius plans to purchase 15 more F-35 fighter fighters from American maker Lockheed Martin (LMT.N), according to a parliamentary source who confirmed a Spiegel magazine report to Reuters on Monday.
According to classified documents created for parliament’s budget committee, planners estimate the aircraft will cost roughly 2.5 billion euros ($2.9 billion), the person added.
Without providing a specific figure, a second source with knowledge of the situation confirmed the talks to purchase more planes. Berlin’s defense ministry refused to comment.
In order to replace its fleet of 85 aging Tornado fighter jets that are scheduled to be decommissioned, Germany has already bought 35 of the American-made aircraft.
In the case of a confrontation, the F-35 aircraft will take the place of the Tornado jets in transporting American nuclear weapons that are kept in Germany.
Berlin rejected plans in July to purchase 15 more F-35 fighter jets, but since then, there has been greater room for weapons purchases due to a greatly increased defense budget.
Reuters was informed at the time by a military source that earlier talks had included the purchase of 15 additional F-35 aircraft.
Germany and France, which have been at differences over their faltering fighter jet project FCAS, or SCAF in French, could become much more tense if they decide to buy more F-35 aircraft.
