Aircraft
Germany to Buy F-35 Fighters for Nuclear Sharing Role
Having earlier discarded the U.S. F-35 fighter, Germany is once again looking to the aircraft to carry out its nuclear commitment to the NATO alliance.
An Edwards AFB-based F-35A drops a test article of the latest B61-12 tactical weapon, the combination that the Luftwaffe will employ to maintain its nuclear capability using U.S.-owned bombs. (Photo: U.S. DoD/F-35 Joint Program Office)
An Edwards AFB-based F-35A drops a test article of the latest B61-12 tactical weapon, the combination that the Luftwaffe will employ to maintain its nuclear capability using U.S.-owned bombs. (Photo: U.S. DoD/F-35 Joint Program Office)

Germany will buy up to 35 stealthy Lockheed Martin F-35A fighters, which will take over the country’s nuclear commitment from the Panavia Tornado. The decision was made public on March 14 in a joint announcement by defense minister Christine Lambrecht and the air force chief Generalleutnant Ingo Gerhartz. It comes shortly after Chancellor Olaf Scholz announced in late February a major increase in Germany’s defense spending, prompted by the Russian invasion of Ukraine.


Loading…