Berlin Considers Additional F-35 Procurement as Franco-German Talks Hit Roadblock

Germany is considering a follow-on purchase of more than 35 additional F-35 stealth fighters, according to Reuters sources. This move would take Berlin’s planned fleet to over 70 aircraft and further anchor the Luftwaffe’s modernization to US technology. The potential acquisition comes as the FCAS program remains mired in disputes over its core sixth-generation fighter. Germany ordered 35 F-35As in 2022, with deliveries due to begin in 2026, to replace the Luftwaffe’s Tornado fleet in NATO’s nuclear-sharing mission.