Germany has reached an agreement with the USA on the purchase of the F-35 as part of the project to strengthen its army. German Defense Minister Christine Lambrecht held a press conference with Chief of General Staff Eberhard Zorn and Air Force Commander Ingo Gerhartz on the purchase of weapons and equipment for the German army. Lambrecht stated that the Bundestag’s budget commission approved a budget of 13 billion euros for the German army, adding that radio, military snowmobiles and infantry rifles would be purchased with this.
Lambrecht also pointed out that the contract was signed for the F-35 warplanes, “Today, we have taken another step for a very important decision. Contracts signed. “It’s about the purchase of F-35s to replace tornado warplanes,” he said.
Noting that the German government decided to purchase the F-35s 9 months ago, Lambrecht noted that this project was brought to the point of being signed within 9 months.
Lambrecht stated that they will continue to meet the needs of the German army from now on.
EUR 100 BILLION FUND
Chief of General Staff Zorn also stated that the purchases announced by Lambrecht are a starting point for the use of the government’s 100 billion euro fund for the German army.
Air Force Commander Gerhartz also stated that the F-35s are the most modern warplanes in the world, adding, “Many of our NATO partners have bought them. Others will follow. This will enable the cooperation required in the alliance.” Gerhartz noted that with this contract, not only warplanes, but also spare parts and ammunition will be purchased.
THEY WILL BE READY TO DUTY IN 2028
Stating that the F-35s bought by Germany will be ready for duty in 2028, Gerhartz shared the information that the pilots will start training in the USA in 2026, and that the pilots and planes will be brought to Germany in 2027.
The Bundestag Budget Committee had previously given the green light to purchase a number of weapons and equipment, including F35 warplanes, HK416 infantry rifles and radios.
F-35 PROTEST FROM ACTIVISTS
Meanwhile, a group of activists gathered outside parliament to protest the government’s plan to purchase F-35 fighter jets.
Activists wearing masks depicting German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and ministers held banners protesting the aircraft deal and threw a mock-up of an F-35 fighter jet into the trash.
Xanthe Hall, from the International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War, said in a statement that the plane that Germany will buy from the USA’s Lockheed Martin company could be used to carry nuclear weapons.
“It’s important for 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 think that the billions of euros put into the deal could be used for something better,” Hall said. said.
In addition, Greenpeace activists, who demonstrated in front of parliament, carrying banners warning against nuclear war tensions, urged lawmakers to oppose the government’s purchase of F-35 fighter jets.
One activist, referring to bombs at US military bases in Germany, said: “Germany does not have a nuclear bomb, but the US has a nuclear bomb here.” he said.
The activist noted that the F-35 warplanes purchased by Germany will carry nuclear bombs within the framework of NATO’s nuclear sharing arrangement. (AA)