Germany is considering purchasing additional U.S.-made F-35 fighter jets, two sources told Reuters, a move that would deepen Berlin’s reliance on American military technology
as its joint next-generation fighter program with France falters.
One source indicated discussions could lead to the acquisition of more than 35 additional jets, while a second source did not specify numbers. Both stressed that the talks are still in preliminary stages and no final decision has been made.
In 2022, Germany placed an initial order for 35 F-35s, with deliveries scheduled to begin later this year. Expanding the fleet would involve stealth fighters built by Lockheed Martin, each priced at more than $80 million.
The possible new purchases come as Germany and France struggle to advance their €100 billion Future Combat Air System (FCAS), a program launched in 2017 to develop a sixth-generation fighter to replace France’s Rafales and Germany’s Eurofighters by 2040. Stalled by industrial rivalries, the project now faces the likelihood that the nations will abandon joint development of a manned fighter, while continuing collaboration on drones and the “combat cloud”—a digital system linking manned and unmanned platforms.
Analysts say adding more F-35s could give Germany breathing room to reconsider its strategy for a sixth-generation fighter and find a suitable development partner.
A German Defence Ministry spokesperson did not immediately comment, while the Pentagon referred inquiries to Berlin. Lockheed Martin emphasized that its priority remains fulfilling Germany’s existing F-35 order.
Expanding Germany’s F-35 fleet would mark a significant strategic shift, signaling closer military integration with the United States and a move away from European defence autonomy—a key priority for France.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz questioned on the Machtwechsel podcast whether investing in a manned sixth-generation fighter still makes sense for the Luftwaffe. “Will we still need a manned fighter jet in 20 years’ time? Do we still need it, given the high costs?” he asked.
The F-35s are also set to replace Tornado jets in Germany’s nuclear strike role, as the aircraft are the only Western fighter jets certified to carry the latest B61 nuclear bombs stored on German soil.
German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius said last week that the fate of the FCAS program would become clear “within days.” Photo by SAC Tim Laurence RAF/MOD, Wikimedia commons.