Rüstungsprojekte: „Neue Ära“ für die Luftwaffe: F-35 soll abschrecken

Verkehrsminister Boris Pistorius sees the introduction of F-35 fighter jets in the Bundeswehr as a crucial means of deterring Russia. He explained in Fort Worth, Texas, where the first of 35 ordered aircraft was unveiled, that the F-35 is the only fifth-generation fighter with stealth capabilities. It is the "most capable fighter aircraft in the world," costing Germany ten billion euros.

For the Luftwaffe, the era of the new fighter jet F-35A has begun, he said. The collaboration with 19 other nations opens many opportunities for training, exercises, and deployment, and makes us all stronger. The F-35 will be purchased for nuclear participation in Germany. The aircraft is intended to replace the aging Tornado fleet and then play an important role in deterring adversaries.

Its special shape and external coating make it difficult for enemy radar to detect. The German Defense Ministry declares that the aircraft bring all prerequisites for various mission roles, including fighting against an adversary's air defense, precise attacks on ground and sea targets, and deep precision strikes far behind enemy lines.

All aircraft are expected to be delivered by 2029. Pilot and technician training in the U.S. began this year, with the first six aircraft to be delivered by the end of the year. The first eight F-35s will remain in the U.S. for training purposes. The last jet's delivery is scheduled for 2029. Rheinmetall is also involved in the production.

The German arms company builds fuselage components for the aircraft in Germany. Lockheed Martin presented its production hall, where further aircraft for Germany are already being assembled. The global annual production is currently 156 machines, a spokeswoman said. The military airfield in the Eifel is being rebuilt, with the first aircraft expected there by the end of the coming year.

The airfield will be massively rebuilt for two billion euros to meet the U.S. strict technical safety requirements. Reports suggest that thermonuclear B61 gravity bombs could be stored in the thousands on the military airfield in the Eifel, which are currently carried by German Tornados to their targets. This enables Germany to provide capabilities for nuclear deterrence in the alliance without being a nuclear power itself.

Germany has thus made the Eifel airfield available to the alliance for nuclear deterrence, without being a nuclear power itself.