Germany to Keep F-35 Aircraft Order Despite America’s ‘Unpredictable’ Policies

The German government will not abandon the purchase of F-35A fighters despite the unpredictable nature of the current Trump administration in the U.S.

This was stated by Defense Ministry spokesman Mitko Muller today to local media when asked whether Germany plans to continue purchasing American F-35A fighter jets amid the unpredictable policies of the Trump administration.

Denying reports that a crisis meeting was planned to reconsider the F-35 purchase, he said, “no crisis meeting is planned — neither today nor in the future. We are keeping this project."

Earlier it was reported that Berlin was having second thoughts over its F-35 purchase due to the  existence of a ‘kill switch’ which would render Germany’s F-35 jets inoperable should it defy Washington’s foreign policy diktats. The Pentagon has subsequently denied the existence of this ‘kill switch.’

Germany has ordered 35 of Lockheed Martin’s F-35 jets and is part of the F-35 industrial ecosystem benefiting from the removal of Turkey from the program. German defense industry powerhouse, Rheinmetall has been contracted to  produce center wings for these aircraft, as well as some other components.

There are currently no direct alternatives to the American F-35 fighter. Most of the fighter jets produced in Europe are fourth-generation aircraft.

Only one European aircraft can be used as a carrier of B61 nuclear bombs - this is the Tornado fighter-bomber, which Germany plans to completely retire by 2030 and replace with F-35As, which are certified to use nuclear munitions.

On December 6, 2024, the construction of the first fifth-generation F-35A Lightning II fighter jet for the German Air Force began in the United States. Delivery of the first set of aircraft is planned for 2027-28.