In a bold move, an Airbus Defence & Space representative in Germany has urged the government to reconsider a significant order of Lockheed Martin’s F-35A fighter jets. Amidst rising geopolitical tensions stemming from US President Donald Trump’s policies, Thomas Pretzl, the general works council chairman, expressed concern about Germany’s reliance on American military hardware. He stated, “I don’t want to see a German politician having to act like a twit in the Oval Office to deploy American fighter jets in a crisis.”
During a recent meeting at Airbus’ manufacturing facility near Munich, Pretzl called on the German government to abandon its 35-unit F-35 order and rethink future acquisitions of US military equipment. The F-35A is intended to modernise Germany’s air force fleet, specifically to replace the ageing Panavia Tornado strike aircraft, and is crucial for maintaining NATO’s nuclear deterrent capabilities.
Beyond the F-35 acquisition, Germany is also set to procure 60 Boeing CH-47F Chinook helicopters and eight P-8A maritime patrol aircraft, with deliveries for the CH-47F expected to commence in October 2027. The first P-8A has already taken to the skies in the US as part of these procurement plans. Additionally, Germany will enhance its intelligence capabilities with three Pegasus signals intelligence jets, set to be customised by Bombardier Defense in collaboration with Hensoldt.
Pretzl advocates for Germany to assert itself in military aircraft manufacturing, suggesting that further investments in projects like the Eurofighter and its next-gen variant are essential. He remarked on the ongoing uncertainty regarding the consolidation of Europe’s Future Combat Air System (FCAS) and the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) initiatives. As France, Germany, and Spain push forward with FCAS, and Italy and the UK collaborate with Japan on GCAP, there is pressing concern that the timelines for these projects—2040 and 2035 respectively—are inadequate given current threats. Pretzl warns, “Given the current threat situation, this is too late.”
Airbus Defence & Space’s general works council had previously advocated for continued support of the Eurofighter programme, leading to recent German government commitments for 38 additional units through Project Quadriga, with plans for an extra 20 multirole jets forthcoming.
An Airbus official in Germany has urged the government to cancel its F-35A fighter jet order, citing geopolitical issues due to US politics. Thomas Pretzl advocates for increased investment in domestic military aircraft production and warns about the current timelines for new European fighter projects. The German government is already involved in significant procurements from the USA, prompting concerns about reliance on foreign military capabilities.
In conclusion, Thomas Pretzl’s urgent call for Germany to reevaluate its planned acquisition of F-35 jets reflects a desire for greater independence in military capability. With significant purchases from the USA underway, Pretzl emphasises the importance of investing in local military technologies like the Eurofighter. The current geopolitical climate underscores the need for timely advancements in aeronautics, prompting a rethinking of Europe’s combined military efforts in light of existing and future challenges.
Original Source: www.flightglobal.com
