“New era” for the Air Force: F-35 should act as a deterrent

Armament projects

“New era” for the Air Force: F-35 should act as a deterrent

The first stealth jet for Germany is presented in Texas. With the ability to carry atomic bombs, the Bundeswehr will continue to participate in nuclear deterrence in the future.

Minister of Defense Boris Pistorius sees the introduction of F-35 fighter jets in the Bundeswehr as a decisive strengthening of Russia’s deterrence. “The F-35 is the only fifth-generation fighter aircraft with stealth capability,” said Pistorius in Fort Worth, Texas, where the first of 35 aircraft ordered was presented. The “most capable fighter aircraft in the world” will be introduced. The Federal Government is spending ten billion euros on this.

“For the air force “From now on, a new era begins: The new F-35 A fighter jet is the most modern fighter aircraft in the world,” he said. The cooperation with 19 other nations opens up many opportunities in training, exercises and operations “and makes us stronger together.”

The aircraft is intended to replace the aging Tornado fleet and then contribute an important part to deterrence. Because it is being bought primarily for Germany’s so-called nuclear participation – a deterrence concept NATOin which allies gain access to US nuclear bombs.

Because of its special shape and external coating, the machine is difficult to detect by enemy radar. The German Ministry of Defense explains that the machine has all the prerequisites for various operational roles, including fighting against an opponent’s air defenses, precise attacks on targets on the ground and at sea, and precision strikes far inland (“deep precision strike”).

The training of pilots and technicians in the USA started this year. The first six machines are scheduled to be delivered by the end of the year. The first eight F-35s remain in the United States to be used for training.

The last jet is scheduled to be delivered in 2029. Also in production Rheinmetall involved. The German defense company builds center fuselage parts for aircraft in Germany.

On Friday, Lockheed Martin presented its production hall, where additional machines for Germany are already being assembled. Annual global production currently amounts to 156 machines, said a spokeswoman.

The first machines are expected to be at the Büchel air base in the Eifel by the end of next year. The military airfield is being extensively renovated for two billion euros. The costs are higher than initially assumed. The German planners have to meet the high technical safety requirements of the USA.

According to reports, which have not been officially confirmed, the airfield is said to be storing double-digit numbers of B61 thermonuclear gravity bombs from the US armed forces, which can currently still be hung under German tornadoes and carried to their target by them.

Germany thus provides nuclear deterrence capabilities in the alliance without being a nuclear power itself. Germany has effectively renounced its own nuclear weapons under international law.

There has recently been speculation as to whether Germany will after the end of the France and Spain planned FCAS air combat system could order more F-35s from the USA. Around a dozen European allies use the F-35 or have decided to buy it, including Great BritainPoland, the Netherlands and Romania. The company recently stated that around 700 of the stealth jets will probably be in use in Europe by 2035.