The F-35 fighters got another chance to become part of the German Air Force. Yesterday, January 11, the portal defensenews.com He reported that the German Defense Ministry is reviewing the plan to replace the aging Tornado aircraft.
As part of its obligations to NATO, the German Air Force must have in its composition aircraft capable of carrying nuclear weapons. Previously, these functions were performed by specially modified Tornado fighters, but their service life is coming to an end.
Dropping a mock-up of a nuclear bomb from an F-35 fighter
Image source: dvidshub.net
In order not to spoil relations with France and not to harm the joint development of a promising FCAS fighter, Germany had previously decided not to buy the F-35. Instead, it was planned to purchase 30 F/A-18E/F and 15 EA-18G fighters (electronic warfare aircraft based on the F/A-18F Super Hornet). It was assumed that these aircraft would be faster and easier to certify for the use of nuclear weapons. But after information appeared that certification might not take place in the required time, as well as disagreements with France in the construction of FCAS, Germany decided to reconsider plans to replace Tornado aircraft, which may include American F-35s adapted to work with nuclear weapons.
