The German Ministry of Defence expressed its concerns about the plan to purchase US-made F-35 fighter jets.

Germany announced in March that it would purchase 35 Lockheed Martin-manufactured combat aircraft to replace its aging Tornado fleet. But German concerns about this purchase plan have increased, according to documents AFP has seen. In a confidential document sent to the Parliament’s Budget Committee, it was stated that the German Ministry of Defence was concerned about delays and additional costs regarding the $10.5 billion purchase plan. The factors causing the concerns range from the improvements to be made in the airspaces that will host the F-35s, the security requirements and the problems that may be experienced in flight in Germany.

It is also among the information given to AFP that a meeting will be held at the Ministry of Defence on Monday with the participation of the members of the budget commission. Therewithal, the Committee is expected to announce the first funding for the procurement plan on 14^th December.

The delivery of the F-35s was expected to be completed by 2026. However, it is doubtful whether the expected improvements at Buechel airbase, where the F-35s will be deployed, will be completed. It was stated that the time determined for the delivery plan is an ambitious science of time. In addition, it was stated that the security requirements on the US side also affected the delays and cost increase.

German Prime Minister Olaf Scholz said last week that he wants the contract for the F-35s to be completed by the end of this year.

It is a matter of curiosity how long it will take to provide suitable conditions for the completion of the F-35 purchase plan. C4Defence will be reporting developments on the subject in its publications.