Germany is considering ordering additional U.S.-made F-35 fighter jets, according to two sources familiar with the matter, a move that would further increase Berlin’s reliance on American military technology as its joint next-generation fighter program with France struggles.
One source said Germany is holding discussions that could result in the purchase of more than 35 extra aircraft, while the second source did not provide a specific figure. Both cautioned that no final decision has been made.
Germany previously ordered 35 F-35s in 2022, with deliveries expected to begin later this year.
The possible new purchase of more Lockheed Martin stealth fighters — priced at over $80 million each — comes as Germany and France remain locked in disagreement over the Future Combat Air System (FCAS), a 100-billion-euro project launched in 2017 to replace France’s Rafale and Eurofighter fleets from 2040 onward. The program has faced repeated delays due to industrial and political rivalries.
Sources close to the project say Berlin and Paris may ultimately abandon the idea of developing a joint manned fighter jet, while continuing cooperation on drones and the “combat cloud” — the digital network designed to connect manned and unmanned platforms within FCAS.
Ordering more F-35s would give Germany additional time to determine its next steps for developing a sixth-generation fighter and finding potential partners for such a project.
Germany’s Defence Ministry declined to comment immediately, while a Pentagon spokesperson referred questions back to Berlin. Lockheed Martin said it remains focused on producing the F-35 aircraft already ordered by Germany.
Expanding Germany’s F-35 fleet would represent a major strategic shift, bringing the country closer to deeper military integration with the United States — and further away from the European defence autonomy long promoted by France.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz also raised doubts this week about whether pursuing a manned sixth-generation fighter still makes sense.
“Will we still need a manned fighter jet in 20 years’ time? Do we still need it, given that we will have to develop it at great expense?” Merz said on the Machtwechsel podcast published Wednesday.
The F-35 is set to replace Germany’s Tornado jets in their role of carrying U.S. nuclear bombs stored in Germany in the event of conflict. It is currently the only Western fighter certified to carry the latest B61 nuclear bombs.
German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius said last week that the future of the FCAS program would become clearer within days.