Germany signs contract for the purchase of F-35 fighter jets
German Defense Minister Lambrecht held a press conference with German Chief of Staff Eberhard Zorn and Air Force Commander Ingo Gerhartz on the purchase of weapons and equipment for the German Army.
Lambrecht said the Bundestag’s budget committee approved a budget of 13 billion euros for the German army, adding that this would buy radios, military snowmobiles and infantry rifles.
Lambrecht also noted that the contract for the F-35 warplanes was signed, “Today we have taken another step for a very important decision. Signed contracts. It is about the purchase of F-35s to replace the Tornado fighter jets.” he said he.
Noting that the German government decided to buy the F-35s 9 months ago, Lambrecht noted that this project reached the point of signing in 9 months.
Lambrecht stated that they will continue to meet the needs of the German Army from now on.
Chief of the General Staff Zorn also claimed that the purchases announced by Lambrecht are a starting point for the use of the government’s 100 billion euro fund for the German military.
Air Force Commander Gerhartz declared that the F-35s are the most modern warplanes in the world, saying: “Many of our NATO partners have purchased them. Others will follow. This will allow for the necessary cooperation in the alliance.” he said he.
Gerhartz noted that this contract will not only purchase combat aircraft, but also spare parts and ammunition.
Stating that the F-35s purchased by Germany will be ready for service in 2028, Gerhartz shared the information that the pilots will begin training in the US in 2026 and that the pilots and aircraft will be brought to Germany in 2027.
The Bundestag Budget Committee had previously given the green light to buy a range of weapons and equipment, including F35 fighter jets, HK416 infantry rifles and radios.
PLAN TO BUY F-35 FIGHTER JETS PROTESTED
Meanwhile, a group of activists gathered in front of parliament to protest against the government’s plan to buy F-35 fighter jets.
Masked activists representing German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and ministers carried banners protesting the plane deal and dumped a mockup of an F-35 fighter jet in the trash.
Xanthe Hall, from the International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War, told Anadolu Agency (AA) that the plane that Germany will buy from the US company Lockheed Martin may be used to transport nuclear weapons.
“It’s important to us that people understand what’s going on, and of course we want to make sure that many of us in parliament understand that we really don’t want this nuclear bomber (F-35), and we believe that the billions of the euros put into the deal could be used for something better,” Hall said. he said.
In addition, Greenpeace activists, who demonstrated outside parliament with banners warning of the tensions of nuclear war, urged lawmakers to oppose the government’s purchase of F-35 fighter jets.
One activist, referring to the bombings at US military bases in Germany, said: “Germany doesn’t have a nuclear bomb, but the United States has a nuclear bomb here.” he said.
The activist noted that the F-35 fighter jets purchased by Germany will carry nuclear bombs under the NATO nuclear sharing agreement. (AA)