F-35, Lockheed Martin Aeronautics
Germany’s Parliament on Thursday approved the purchase of 35 Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II fighter jets worth almost $14 billion.
“Congratulations to Germany on procuring the F-35A. Germany is the ninth foreign military sales country to join the program,” said Lt. Gen. Michael Schmidt, F-35 program executive officer. “We look forward to working with them to deliver the F-35 Air System to meet their national defense requirements."
The agreement includes a comprehensive package of engines, role-specific mission equipment, spare and replacement parts, technical and logistic support, training and armament.
The deal was announced in March but needed approval from parliament.
The first of eight aircraft are set to be delivered in 2026, according to a press release.
“It is an honor to formally welcome Germany to the F-35 Lightning II Program. Germany's participation ensures the F-35's European alliance continues to strengthen and grow through interoperability with NATO and ally nations," said Bridget Lauderdale, Lockheed Martin's vice president and general manager of the F-35 program. "The F-35 is the most advanced, survivable, best value fighter giving pilots the critical advantage against any adversary, enabling them to execute their mission and safely return home."
These jets are among the first purchases of a $106 billion special fund that Chancellor Olaf Scholz announced in the immediate aftermath of Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February.
The F-35 will replace the aging Tornado, which has been flying since the 1980s. The German government is planning to phase it out between 2025-30. The Tornado is the only German jet capable of carrying U.S. nuclear bombs. By the 2030s, it is expected that more than 550 F-35s will work together from more than 10 European countries.
To date, the F-35 operates from 26 bases worldwide, with nine nations operating F-35s on their home soil. There are more than 875 F-35s in service today, with more than 1,845 pilots and 13,350 maintainers trained on the aircraft, according to Lockheed.