Germany is preparing to expand its fifth-generation fighter fleet with the planned acquisition of 15 additional Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II aircraft. If approved by the Bundestag, this would raise the Luftwaffe’s total order from 35 to 50 aircraft—significantly enhancing Germany’s airpower and nuclear deterrence capabilities under NATO’s nuclear sharing arrangement.
Strategic Rationale Behind the Expanded F-35 Acquisition
The proposed procurement of an additional 15 F-35As reflects Berlin’s broader strategic shift toward modernizing its tactical airpower and fulfilling NATO obligations. The primary driver is the need to replace Germany’s aging Panavia Tornado IDS/ECR fleet—aircraft that have served since the early 1980s and are no longer viable for high-end missions or survivable in contested airspace.
The Tornado is currently Germany’s only platform certified for delivering U.S.-provided B61 nuclear gravity bombs under NATO’s nuclear sharing policy. However, due to obsolescence concerns and rising maintenance costs, Berlin selected the F-35A in March 2022 as its future dual-capable aircraft (DCA). The stealthy fifth-generation jet offers low observability, advanced sensors, and compatibility with both conventional and nuclear payloads.
By increasing its buy from 35 to 50 units, Germany aims not only to ensure redundancy in its DCA mission but also to bolster conventional strike capabilities across Europe. The additional aircraft would enable more flexible basing options (notably at Büchel Air Base), allow for sustained operations during maintenance cycles, and support joint training with other NATO F-35 operators such as Italy, Belgium, the Netherlands, Denmark, Norway, Finland and Poland.
Program Status: Contracts, Deliveries & Infrastructure
Germany signed a Letter of Offer and Acceptance (LOA) with the United States in December 2022 covering an initial batch of 35 F-35As under a Foreign Military Sales (FMS) agreement valued at approximately $8.4 billion. This package includes aircraft procurement as well as training systems (simulators), spare parts, weapons integration support (including B61 compatibility), sustainment services and infrastructure upgrades.
The first German F-35s are expected for delivery in 2026. Initial pilot training will occur at Luke Air Force Base in Arizona beginning in late 2025 or early 2026. Full operational capability is targeted by around 2030. To accommodate the stealth fighters’ unique requirements—including secure hangars with low observable maintenance infrastructure—Büchel Air Base is undergoing significant modernization funded through Germany’s €100 billion Sondervermögen defense investment fund.
If approved by parliament in early-to-mid 2025 as expected following internal MoD planning cycles and budget committee review processes (Haushaltsausschuss), the follow-on order for an additional squadron of 15 jets could be contracted by late next year or early 2026. This would align deliveries into the second half of this decade without significantly disrupting Lockheed Martin’s production schedule.
Operational Implications for NATO Nuclear Sharing
The expansion of Germany’s F-35 fleet has direct implications for NATO’s deterrence posture. As one of five European nations participating in NATO’s nuclear sharing arrangement—alongside Belgium, Italy, Netherlands and Turkey—Germany plays a critical role in hosting U.S.-owned B61 bombs on its territory while maintaining dual-capable delivery platforms operated by national crews.
The Luftwaffe’s Tornado IDS has long been certified for this role but lacks survivability against modern integrated air defense systems (IADS). In contrast, the F-35A offers a credible delivery platform capable of penetrating contested environments using stealth characteristics combined with advanced electronic warfare capabilities.
With more aircraft available post-expansion—potentially organized into three squadrons instead of two—the Luftwaffe can maintain higher readiness levels while rotating assets through training cycles or depot-level maintenance. It also provides greater assurance that Germany can fulfill its DCA commitments even if some jets are grounded or unavailable due to technical issues or upgrades.
Complementarity with Eurofighter Typhoon Fleet
Germany operates over 130 Eurofighter Typhoons across multiple wings tasked primarily with air defense missions under Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) duties as well as multirole strike roles using precision-guided munitions like GBU-series bombs and Taurus KEPD cruise missiles.
While there were proposals from Airbus Defence & Space advocating for a Eurofighter-based solution for nuclear certification (dubbed “Eurofighter ECR” variant), it became clear that such development would be costly (~€3–5 billion) and time-consuming (~10 years). Moreover, it lacked U.S. approval required for B61 integration—a process already completed on the F-35 via U.S.-led testing programs at Sandia National Laboratories.
Thus far from replacing Eurofighters outright, the incoming German F-35As will complement existing fleets by specializing in high-threat penetration missions where stealth is essential—leaving Typhoons free for QRA duties over Baltic skies or conventional strike roles within European theater operations.
Industrial Participation & Long-Term Sustainment
A key concern raised within German political circles is domestic industrial participation given that Lockheed Martin produces most components within the United States along with key partners like Northrop Grumman (fuselage center section) and BAE Systems (aft fuselage).
To address these concerns—and echoing arrangements made by other European buyers—Lockheed Martin has pledged limited industrial offsets including opportunities for German firms like Rheinmetall or MTU Aero Engines in areas such as component MRO (maintenance/repair/overhaul), software support centers or simulator production tied into broader European logistics chains supporting over a dozen regional operators.
Sustainment will be handled via Lockheed Martin’s Global Support Solution framework which includes Performance-Based Logistics contracts tailored per nation. As more European countries adopt or expand their fleets under NATO interoperability goals—including Switzerland recently joining—the economies-of-scale benefits should reduce lifecycle costs per unit over time compared to legacy platforms like Tornado or even Eurofighter variants requiring bespoke upgrades per customer nation.
