A spokesperson for the Federal Ministry of Defence of Germany has denied reports that Berlin was planning to order an additional 15 U.S.-made F-35 fighter jets.
Speaking at a government press conference on July 11, the official said:
“As for the number of aircraft to be purchased, as always, we will first inform parliament and then, of course, the public. I have nothing more to say on this subject today. There are no plans to order another 15 aircraft.”
The statement follows a Politico report suggesting the German government intended to increase its F-35 fleet from 35 to 50 jets.
According to that report, the expansion was being considered amid difficulties with the joint Future Combat Air System (FCAS) program involving France and Spain. Tensions reportedly arose after France demanded an 80% share in production of the sixth-generation fighter.
The additional U.S. aircraft would have helped close a potential capability gap caused by delays in the FCAS program.
Germany has already committed to purchasing 35 fifth-generation F-35A Lightning II fighters from Lockheed Martin.
Under current plans, the first aircraft will be deployed to Ebbing Air National Guard Base in Arkansas in 2026, where German pilots and technicians will receive training.
The first jets are expected to arrive in Germany in 2027.
