Written by Sabine Siebold
BERLIN (Reuters) – Germany is considering purchasing eight additional F-35 fighter jets produced by the US defense giant. Lockheed Martin A military source told Reuters on Friday that the company (NYSE:) is in addition to the 35 aircraft it has ordered.
The source said Berlin is considering the costs of such a purchase, as the stealth plane is seen as the most advanced fighter jet.
In 2022, Germany decided to order 35 F-35 aircraft including missiles and other weapons for about 10 billion euros ($10.89 billion).
The planes are equipped with advanced sensors and other equipment, and Lockheed says they are almost impossible to track with radar.
This plane will replace the old Tornado plane, which is the only German plane capable of carrying American nuclear bombs stored in Germany.
The German Air Force has been using Tornado aircraft since the 1980s, and Berlin plans to phase them out between 2025 and 2030.
The F-35 will be stationed at an air base near the western German town of Büchel from 2027 and can also carry US nuclear weapons.
The first eight F-35s are scheduled for delivery in 2026 and will be based in the United States for pilot training.
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