IRIA News

Germany has officially joined the multinational F-35 Lightning II program after the country signed a letter of offer and acceptance on December 14, 2022. Germany is the ninth country to join the program.

Germany’s budgetary committee approved funding for 35 of the fifth-generation jets at a cost of $8.8 billion (€8.4 billion). The agreement includes a comprehensive package of engines, armament, role-specific mission equipment, spare and replacement parts, technical and logistic support, and training. The F-35 fighter jet acquisition is part of Germany′s military procurement projects worth 13 billion euros.

Germany is set to receive the first batch of its F-35 fighter jets in 2026 to build up more advanced air-defense capabilities and replace the portion of its aging Tornados set to retire in 2030. The German air force has been flying the Tornado since the 1980s and plans to phase it out between 2025 and 2030.

The procurement will see a handover in tranches, with 10 F-35 deliveries in 2027, the same number in 2028, and a final batch of seven by 2029, according to German lawmakers. The first eight aircraft will be stationed in the U.S. for pilot training and ground crew training which is slated to begin in 2026 in the United States. 

German Air Force Chief Ingo Gerhartz called the decision to order the F-35 “historic” and said that the package includes parts and ammunition as well as the aircraft. “The F-35 is the most modern combat aircraft in the world, and many of our European partners have also opted for this aircraft. It strengthens our ability to secure NATO airspace and defend the alliance together with them. Together with the further development of the Eurofighter for electronic combat, we are taking an important step to prepare the Luftwaffe and thus the German armed forces for the future” he said in a statement.

Gerhartz also emphasized the importance of a united approach in Europe, saying “There is only one answer to Putin’s aggression: unity in NATO and credible deterrence. That is precisely why the decision for the F-35 is without alternative.” Today, there are approximately 120 F-35s in Europe across six countries. 

Lt. Gen. Michael Schmidt, F-35 Program Executive Officer congratulated Germany on procuring the F-35A. “We look forward to working with them to deliver the F-35 Air System to meet their national defense requirements

“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.

F-35 jets

The F-35 is the most advanced, survivable, lethal, and best-value fighter giving pilots a critical advantage against any adversary, enabling them to execute their mission and safely return home. The F-35 Lightning II is a stealth multirole fighter aircraft, built by Lockheed Martin.

The modern 5th Generation fighter aircraft the F-35 is designed to counter and deter advancing threats from the air, land, and sea. As adversary capabilities proliferate in capability and quantity, the F-35 program has a continuous capability modernization program to incrementally update software and hardware to meet and exceed advancing threats. 

F-35 variants

The combat aircraft is manufactured in three main variants:

• F-35A: A Conventional Takeoff and Landing (CTOL) aircraft. Designed to operate from conventional runways and is the most common variant. The majority of F-35 international allied customers and the United States Air Force operate the F-35A.
• F-35B: A short takeoff aircraft with vertical landing capability (STOVL). It can land vertically like a helicopter and take off in very short distances which allows it to operate from austere, short-field bases and a range of air-capable ships. The United States Marine Corps, United Kingdom, and Italian Air Force operate F-35B.
• F-35C: The aircraft carrier variant of the Joint Strike Fighter with larger wings, folding wingtips, reinforced landing gear, and snap hooks. The long-range stealth strike fighter is designed and built explicitly for aircraft carrier operations. The F-35C is operated exclusively by the U.S. Navy.