Verteidigung: Luftfahrtindustrie warnt vor unüberlegter Bestellung weiterer F-35-Jets
Am Freitag soll die erste von 35 Maschinen an die Luftwaffe übergeben werden. Eine eventuelle zweite Tranche dürfe nicht zulasten eines europäischen Kampfjetprojekts gehen, mahnt der BDLI.
The German Aerospace Industries Association (BDLI) has expressed concerns over the debate surrounding additional orders for F-35 fighter jets in the United States. The BDLI warns that over-reliance on technology and preconceived notions may hinder their own European development projects. Currently, 35 F-35s have been ordered, each fulfilling a specific role through nuclear participation, according to BDLI Managing Director Marie-Christine von Hahn.
"However, we must not become technologically dependent once again in our own defense." For every additional procurement, transparency is required to address the long-term dependencies on technology, software, spare parts, and maintenance, as well as the financial bindings that could persist for decades.
The first of the ordered aircraft is set to be delivered to the German military at Fort Worth, Texas, in the presence of German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius (SPD) on Friday. These 35 aircraft will be stationed at Büchel airfield in the Eifel region, beginning next year. From there, they could potentially carry US nuclear weapons stored in Germany in times of crisis.
The German Air Force is urging Pistorius to secure additional aircraft to replace the approaching decommissioning of the Tornado fleet, aiming to field at least two complete F-35 squadrons.
Written by urgent.news from Handelsblatt's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
