defense
“Crisis meeting” about risks in buying stealth jets
An F-35 jet flies over Poland in this image provided by the US Air Force. photo
© Senior Airman Joseph Barron/US Air Force via AP/dpa
The federal government wants to equip the Air Force with the most modern combat aircraft in the world. However, there could be delays.
There is dissatisfaction among members of the budget committee in the Bundestag about possible risks with the planned purchase of the stealth jet F-35. The “Bild am Sonntag” reported that there should be a “crisis meeting” with the responsible committee members this Monday. The trigger is a secret template in which the Ministry of Defense warns of significant risks in the business.
It is unclear whether the Bundeswehr will have the airfield in Büchel (Rhineland-Palatinate) converted in time for the F-35 jets by 2026. “Therefore, delays and additional costs until the start of flight operations cannot be ruled out,” the newspaper quoted from the template. In addition, there is a risk that national approval for flight operations may not be granted in a timely manner.
The SPD politician Andreas Schwarz, chief rapporteur on the defense budget committee, told the “Bild am Sonntag”: “It is unacceptable that Parliament is only now learning about the problems. I expect the ministry to provide comprehensive information on how the risks in wants to get a grip. Here they are trying to get rid of responsibility.”
The federal government has announced that it intends to equip the Luftwaffe with F-35 stealth jets. The machines from the US manufacturer Lockheed Martin are to be procured as the successor model to the Tornado fleet introduced more than 40 years ago. The F-35 is considered the most modern combat aircraft in the world and is also bought for Germany’s so-called nuclear participation – this is a NATO deterrent concept in which allies have access to US nuclear bombs. According to unconfirmed information, the last of these weapons in Germany are in special bunkers in Büchel.