Germany plans to order 15 more US-made F-35 jets

German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius intends to order an additional 15 F-35 fighter jets from US manufacturer Lockheed Martin, a parliamentary source tells Reuters, backing a report by Spiegel magazine.

Planners expect the additional aircraft to cost some 2.5 billion euros ($2.9 billion) according to confidential documents prepared for the German parliament’s budget committee, the source says.

Germany has already ordered 35 of the US-made jets to replace its fleet of 85 ageing Tornado fighter jets, which are set to be decommissioned.

The F-35 aircraft are designated to succeed the Tornados in their role of carrying US nuclear bombs stored in Germany in the event of a conflict.

Berlin previously denied plans to acquire an additional 15 F-35 fighter jets in July, but a significantly expanded defense budget has since created more scope for weapons purchases.