{
  "id": 8176396,
  "title": "Verteidigung: Luftfahrtindustrie warnt vor unüberlegter Bestellung weiterer F-35-Jets",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/18/verteidigung-luftfahrtindustrie-warnt-vor-unuberlegter-bestellung",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-09-18T05:02:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Handelsblatt",
    "slug": "handelsblatt",
    "url": "https://www.handelsblatt.com/politik/deutschland/ruestung-industrie-warnt-vor-unueberlegter-bestellung-weiterer-f-35-jets/100255423.html"
  },
  "original_language": "de",
  "account": "The German aerospace industry federation (BDLI) has expressed concerns about potential over-ordering of F-35 fighter jets by the United States, citing risks of technological dependency and foregone European development projects. BDLI's CEO, Marie-Christine von Hahn, stated that the 35 F-35 jets already purchased serve a clearly defined role with nuclear participation, but the country should not become technologically dependent again. For each additional procurement, transparency must be ensured regarding the long-term dependencies in technology, software, spare parts, and maintenance, as well as the resources tied up over decades. The first ordered aircraft is set to be delivered to the German military at Fort Worth, Texas, in August 2025, where they will eventually be stationed at Büchel air base in Germany and potentially carry out US nuclear weapons strikes. The Luftwaffe is lobbying heavily for more F-35s to replace its retiring Tornado fleet, but this is politically contentious for two reasons. First, Europe aims for greater sovereignty in defense matters and does not want to be swayed by US President Donald Trump's erratic policies. Second, the Americans refuse to hand over control of the aircraft's software, potentially limiting European capabilities if they deem it politically opportune to deny necessary updates. If Germany decides to purchase additional F-35s, it could have \"immediate consequences for our own industrial capabilities and the financing of the next European sixth-generation fighter generation,\" according to von Hahn. The BDLI warns that additional F-35s should not delay the development of the Eurofighter and the entry into a European sixth-generation system. Germany originally aimed to develop a sixth-generation fighter jointly with France and Spain under the FCAS project, but the venture collapsed due to irreconcilable disputes over industrial leadership and division of labor. The aerospace industry is eagerly awaiting a decision from the German government on how to proceed, potentially looking towards partnerships with Airbus and Saab, or involvement in the GCAP project involving the UK, Italy, and Japan. While the industry prefers a German-developed fighter jet, Airbus has joined forces with seven other defense companies in the \"Team Gen 6\" initiative. Von Hahn emphasizes that Europe's air forces need their own wings, and Germany must continue to design, build, maintain, and evolve its own fighter aircraft. \"Our industry can do it,\" she asserts. To have a European sixth-generation fighter by the late 2030s, development must be initiated and long-term funding secured.",
  "summary": "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.",
  "key_points": [
    "German aerospace industry warns against over-ordering of F-35 jets.",
    "BDLI CEO Marie-Christine von Hahn emphasizes transparency in technology dependencies."
  ],
  "editors_take": "Germany's potential over-ordering of F-35 jets could undermine its own industrial capabilities and delay development of a European sixth-generation fighter, threatening the country's defense sovereignty.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}