US approves sale of F-35 fighters to Germany

The US will sell equipment and munitions to Germany for an estimated cost of $8.4 billion.

The U.S. State Department approved a military sale.

On July 28, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency issued the necessary certification for the sale to the German government of F-35 fighter jets, munitions, and related equipment for an estimated cost of $8.4 billion.

The Government of Germany has requested to buy thirty-five (35) F-35 Joint Strike Fighter Conventional Take Off and Landing (CTOL) aircraft and thirty-seven (37) Pratt & Whitney F135-PW-100 engines (35 installed, 2 spares).

In addition to combat aircraft, Germany seeks to obtain a variety of air-based weapons.

Specifically, one hundred five (105) AIM-120C-8 Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAM) and seventy-five (75) AGM-158B/B2 Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missiles-Extended Range.

The order also includes various air bombs with laser and GPS guidance and other related equipment.

The U.S. State Department said this weapon will improve Germany’s capability to face current and future threats by providing a suitable replacement for Germany’s retiring Tornado aircraft fleet in support of NATO’s nuclear sharing mission.

The U.S. State Department said in a statement that this proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security of the United States by improving the security of a NATO ally that is an important force for political and economic stability in Europe.

F-35 Lightning II multirole fighter is produced by the American Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company. The aircraft can conduct air combat, bombing, and close support missions.

It is produced in three versions:

– F-35A — regular,
– F-35B — with shortened takeoff and vertical landing,
– F-35C — deck-based (short takeoff using a catapult and landing using an aero finisher).

Last year, the US Air Force conducted the final flight tests of the F-35A fighter jet, dropping the B61-12 inert nuclear bomb. The tests were held in preparation for the certification of the fighter as a dual-purpose combat aircraft.