Germany denies plans to expand F-35 fighter jet fleet beyond 35 units

Germany has no plans to increase its order of F-35 fighter jets beyond the 35 units already contracted, a defence ministry spokesperson said on July 11, contradicting a recent Politico report suggesting the country intended to grow its fleet to 50 jets.

So far, Germany has ordered 35 US-made F-35 jets to replace its ageing fleet of 85 Tornado fighter aircraft scheduled for decommissioning, Caliber.Az reoports, citing Reuters. 

"The defence ministry currently has no plans to procure additional F-35s beyond the 35 F-35s already contractually agreed," the spokesperson stated during a regular news conference.

A military source speaking to Reuters acknowledged that the possibility of acquiring 15 additional F-35 jets had been considered in the past. However, the source explained that the numbers would need to be adjusted in light of NATO's new targets for weapons and troop numbers.

"The new targets suggest the initial figure was not large enough and the actual number of additional F-35s needed might be bigger in the end," the source said, while declining to confirm any specific numbers.

The Politico report emerges amid ongoing tensions between Germany and France regarding the joint Franco-German Future Combat Air System (FCAS) fighter jet project. Earlier this week, reports indicated that France is now seeking an 80% workshare in the project.

An industry source told Reuters that such a demand would overturn the previously agreed division of tasks and could potentially prevent the project from advancing to its next phase.

By Sabina Mammadli