The German Luftwaffe is well on track to become one of the most powerful air forces on the European continent.
According to reports last week, Germany will bolster its air force with the addition of 20 Eurofighter Typhoons to complement the 138 currently in service. That deal, valued at approximately 2 billion euros ($2.2 billion), would enhance Germany's defense capabilities while keeping production lines at Airbus active.
It isn’t just Typhoons heading to Germany. Berlin is also increasing its order of Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning IIs. Germany first inked a 10 billion euro deal in 2022, shortly after Russia's unprovoked invasion of Ukraine, to acquire 35 of the fifth-generation stealth fighters and other equipment. The first of those aircraft are now scheduled to arrive in 2026.
On Friday, Reuters reported that Germany is likely to expand the F-35 purchase by an additional eight aircraft. The order will enable the Luftwaffe to retire its aging Eurofighter Tornado, which it has operated since the 1980s. Berlin determined the F-35 was the only aircraft able to replace the Tornado, which is now capable of carrying U.S. nuclear weapons stored in Germany.
The Luftwaffe's F-35s will be based in western Germany near Buechel. They could begin to be equipped to carry nuclear ordnance in 2027.
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