Germany to Expand F-35 Fleet

Germany is preparing to bolster its air force with an additional purchase of 15 US-made F-35 fighter jets, bringing the total number of aircraft planned for procurement to 50, according to reports from Politico citing informed sources.

This expansion comes at a time of rising tension between Berlin and Paris over the Future Combat Air System (FCAS), a joint Franco-German-Spanish next-generation fighter jet project. Recent reports suggest France is demanding up to 80% of the industrial workshare. 

This move could undermine the original task distribution agreement and potentially stall the program before it enters its next development phase, as reported by *Reuters*, citing an industry insider.

Germany's proposed acquisition aligns with a broader NATO strategy to increase collective defence spending to 5% of GDP over the next decade. This target reflects heightened concerns over Russia's growing military threat and the alliance's goal of enhancing military and civilian resilience across member states.

A spokesperson for the German Ministry of Defense declined to comment on potential procurement decisions, stating that no purchase would be confirmed before presentation to parliament.

Germany had already placed an order for 35 F-35 jets to replace its ageing fleet of 85 Tornado aircraft, which are scheduled for decommissioning. The new acquisition is expected to support NATO’s revised capability benchmarks, which now demand higher numbers of combat-ready troops and advanced weapons systems.

A military source indicated that the idea of acquiring 15 more aircraft had been under consideration in earlier defense discussions. However, evolving NATO requirements have prompted a reassessment, with initial figures now deemed insufficient. Although the expanded fleet has not been officially confirmed, additional procurement may be necessary to meet strategic demands.

Meanwhile, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz acknowledged ongoing disagreements over FCAS specifications, stating on Wednesday that internal disputes over workload distribution and intellectual property rights have plagued the project since its inception.

The delays and diplomatic strain cast further uncertainty over the future of Europe’s flagship defense cooperation initiative.