Contributor - UK

David Donald

Germany will buy up to 35 stealthy Lockheed Martin F-35A fighters, which will take over the country’s nuclear commitment from the Panavia Tornado. The decision was made public on March 14 in a joint announcement by defense minister Christine Lambrecht and the air force chief Generalleutnant Ingo Gerhartz. It comes shortly after Chancellor Olaf Scholz announced in late February a major increase in Germany’s defense spending, prompted by the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

 


In Luftwaffe service, the most important role for the F-35A will be as a carrier of B61-12 nuclear bombs as part of the weapons sharing program with the U.S., which owns the bombs. Currently, the Tornados of Taktisches Luftwaffengeschwader (tactical wing) 33 at Büchel are the nominated carriers, armed with B61 weapons and in the process of being certified to carry the latest Mod 12 variant. The F-35A itself is in the final stages of <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/defense/2020-06-24/f-35a-primed-nuclear-mission-new-generation-bomb">certification with the B61-12</a> as what the Pentagon calls a ‘Dual Capable Aircraft’, with design clearance expected by January 2023.

 


The nuclear weapons sharing program—which also involves other NATO countries—has been an increasingly controversial cornerstone of (West) Germany’s defense policy since the late 1950s, when training of Luftwaffe crews began on the Republic F-84F Thunderstreak equipped with Mk 7 bombs. The role was subsequently adopted by the Lockheed F-104G Starfighter, before passing to the Tornado in the 1980s.

 


A program to replace the 90-strong Tornado fleet has been in the works since the early 2010s, and by 2017 the F-35A was reportedly the preferred choice of the Luftwaffe from a field that also included the Eurofighter Typhoon and Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet. In January 2019 the F-35A was officially removed from the competition, and in April 2020 Germany <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/defense/2020-04-22/germanys-tornado-fighter-replacement-plans-revealed">decided on a split buy</a> of 30 F/A-18E/Fs, 15 EA-18G Growler defense suppression aircraft, and around 45 Tranche 5 Typhoons. Neither the Super Hornet nor Typhoon are cleared for nuclear weapons carriage. Replacement of the Tornados is scheduled to begin in 2025 and be completed by no later than 2030. With the installation of a new government led by Scholz, who took office in December 2021, the F-35A was brought back to the table again.

 


Selection of the nuclear-capable F-35A answers one of several requirements of the overall Tornado replacement program, but leaves other roles unfulfilled, chief of which is the need to provide an electronic warfare/defense suppression capability that is currently provided by the ECR variant of the Tornado. In the F-35A announcement, it was acknowledged that the Eurofighter will be retained and further developed for the electronic combat role. In late 2019 Airbus Germany <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/defense/2019-11-08/airbus-airs-proposals-german-eurofighter-typhoon-development">outlined a proposal for a two-seat “ECR”</a> version of the Typhoon with podded jamming systems and defense suppression weapons, and it seems likely that a mooted number of 15 will be procured, displacing the previously selected Growler. Further Typhoons are likely to be bought to complete the Tornado replacement in terms of aircraft numbers.

 


During the announcement Germany also underlined its commitment to the tri-national Future Combat Air System program that is underway with France and Spain, citing continuing Typhoon technology development as beneficial to the FCAS program. However, discussions between France and Germany over FCAS have run into difficulties over participation and leadership issues, and the selection of the F-35 is likely to place a further strain on them.

News and developments about airplanes, helicopters and unmanned air vehicles used in all varieties of operations, including airlines, military, business, commercial, general aviation and private.

Germany to Buy F-35 Fighters for Nuclear Sharing Role

Having earlier discarded the U.S. F-35 fighter, Germany is once again looking to the aircraft to carry out its nuclear commitment to the NATO alliance.

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Hanneke Weitering

News and issues regarding all manner of civil and military rotorcraft and their powerplants, including helicopters, tilt rotors and unmanned air vehicles.

Agreement covers up to 12 of the Alia-250 model and is Beta's second sale in New Zealand

New Zealand Air Ambulance Service Orders Beta's eVTOL Aircraft

New developments at airports including regulations and noise issues; legal disputes; openings, acquisitions and mergers.

Midnight eVTOL aircraft production begins in 2025

Archer Completes Georgia eVTOL Factory

AmyWilder

News about bills, laws, regulations and other governmental decisions affecting aviation and aerospace. Topics include FAA re-authorizations, taxes on fuel and aviation activities, environmental legislation, ICAO decisions, governmental mediation of labor conflicts and World Trade Organization disputes and decisions.

News and issues concerning general aviation, specifically airplanes and helicopters powered by piston and alternative engines (i.e., non-turbine powered aircraft). Subjects include aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

Deliveries of the turboprop single can now start in the UK

Piper M700 Fury Secures UK CAA Nod

Kerry Lynch

News and issues relating to the aerospace industry that are related to the science, engineering and business of flight in space involving civil, industrial and military applications, and similar topics related to flight in the atmosphere of the Earth that are not covered more directly by other AINonline subject channels. In other words, both astronautical and aeronautical subjects, except for those aeronautical topics that are specifically covered elsewhere on this website.

News and issues relating to international air transport and cargo carriers, national airlines and regional airlines, including aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

Essential news and analysis on the defense aerospace business. Your trusted source for new and ongoing programs and requirements in military aircraft (manned and unmanned), engines, avionics, weapons and associated systems, including ground-based air defense.

Testing on Quarterhorse Mk 1 was completed in 21 days

Hermeus Completes Quarterhorse Demonstrator Ground Tests

Jessica Reed

News and issues about aviation maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO), covering all segments of the aviation industry; and modifications for aircraft and engines. Subjects include product support of aircraft, engines and avionics, MRO company mergers, acquisitions, announcements and personnel, Airworthiness Directives, Supplemental Type Certificate approvals and other topics.

News and issues relating to business, corporate and private aviation, primarily regarding turbine-engine-powered airplanes and helicopters. Subjects include aircraft, engines, maintenance, operations, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security, and training.

Leadership changes will go into effect on Jan. 1, 2025

Dave Yip To Take Over as Acting CEO of Metrojet

N1000-XSS1 technology demonstrator achieves first test flight

U.S. Start-up Nimbus Flies Electric Bizjet Demonstrator

Latest structural tests earned credits towards FAA type certification

Joby Completes Static Load Tests on eVTOL Aircraft Tail

Charles Alcock

News and developments about aircraft engines, including turbofan, turboprop, turboshaft and piston.

More In Aircraft