Germany will purchase up to 35 F-35 fighter jets from the USA to replace its aging Tornado aircraft in line with the new 100 billion euro modernization program according to the Germany News Agency (DPA).
The new F-35 fighter jets will replace the Tornadoes, which have been used in the German Air Force since the 1980's and are the only German jets capable of carrying US nuclear bombs.
Germany is planning to purchase a maximum of 35 F-35s, which are presented as the most modern jets in the world.
Previous plans by the German Ministry of Defense included the purchase of US F-18 aircraft, which had not yet been approved for use with nuclear weapons.
However, it is stated that Germany's F-35 decision may put the Next Generation Air Combat System (FCAS) project, which is carried out jointly with France, into trouble.
After Russia's attack on Ukraine, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz announced that 100 billion euros would be allocated for the modernization and strengthening of the army (Bundeswehr) and the country's defense spending would be increased.
