Germany Selects Future Nuclear Strike Fighter

In a Bundeswehr (Federal Defence) Press Release,the German Ministry of Defence announced on 14 March 2022 it has selected the successor to the TORNADO weapon system.Secretary of Defence Christine Lambrecht has initiated the procurement of the Lockheed Martin F-35A Joint Strike Fighter for the task of nuclear sharing,saying: The F-35 offers unique potential for cooperation with our NATO Allies and other Partners in Europe.* So the F-35A beat out competitor the Boeing F/A-18 Super Hornet.The ageing fleet of 93 Panavia TORNADO fighter bombers needs replacement,and the 35 F-35As will remain assertive in future scenarios,the possible missions in the context of national and Alliance defence.In light of the current security policy situation (Russian aggression against Ukraine),the F-35A is the right system for credible Alliance unity,capability and deterrence.* For the electronic warfare mission,the MOD will rely on further development of the Eurofighter Typhoon.This will serve until the Next Generation Fighter (NGF) debuts in 2040.Thus the two-fleet concept is sustained,which has proven itself in the Luftwaffe (Air Force) for decades and made an important contribution to the operational readiness and resilience of the combat aircraft fleet,the Bundeswehr said.* Under NATO'S dual key nuclear deterrent programme,the US B61-12 tactical nuclear weapon is stored on German bases,as well as bases in NATO Allies Belgium,Italy,the Netherlands and Turkey.In the event of a crisis,tactical nuclear weapons may be mounted on Alliance nuclear-capable aircraft.* Lockheed Martin (LMT),Boeing (BA)