Germany is said to ready plans to order 15 more U.S.-made F-35 fighter jets

[USMC F-35B]
Angel Di Bilio

Germany is preparing to expand its F-35 order, with Defence Minister Boris Pistorius planning to purchase 15 additional jets from Lockheed Martin (NYSE:LMT [https://seekingalpha.com/symbol/LMT]) for roughly €2.5 billion ($2.9 billion), according to parliamentary documents cited by _Spiegel_ and confirmed to Reuters by a government source.

The move would add to Germany’s existing commitment for 35 aircraft intended to replace its aging Tornado fleet, which currently handles the NATO nuclear-sharing role.

Although Berlin previously denied plans for a larger order, a boosted defense budget has renewed the option. The step that could further strain relations with France amid delays in their joint next-generation fighter project, FCAS.

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