alt.hn

2/19/2026 at 4:20:22 AM

Germany seeking more F-35 jets as European fighter program falters

https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/germany-seeking-more-f-35-jets-european-fighter-program-falters-sources-say-2026-02-19/

by JumpCrisscross

2/19/2026 at 6:31:48 AM

What a corrupt mess.

They ease the debt restrictions on EU military spending, then turn around and instead of trying to nurture sovereign solutions, they throw this loaned money back at the U.S.-Americans.

This is exactly the same playbook the Germans pulled when the U.S.-Americans were suspected of aiding in the destruction of Nordstream 2, and then paying for expensive LNG infrastructure to make the continent's industry an American slave.

by rcbdev

2/19/2026 at 7:53:08 AM

It's beyond ridiculous. Even more so after Greenland earlier this year, and the US essentially signaling that NATO is completely dead.

by pu_pe

2/19/2026 at 7:02:37 AM

Which sovereign solutions? Last time I checked, no EU member state had a survivable tactical aircraft in production, let alone one certified to participate in the NATO nuclear weapon sharing program.

As for Nordstream 2 there has never been any reliable proof of US involvement. EU countries were fools to ever do business with Russia for critical energy sources in the first place.

by nradov

2/19/2026 at 9:30:06 AM

People downvote you but its true, in the next 15-20 years no European plane will have F-35 capabilitly.

When Germany and France can't get get along, the US profits.

The other option would be to Join the British program instead, not sure this is still an option.

by panick21_

2/19/2026 at 4:57:15 AM

That seems like a really bad decision. Europe should reduce its ability to be controlled by the US. Yes the Trump admin is only one administration - but it has shown an interest in permanently ruling America. The risk is too great.

I do think there is validity to abandoning their current project. The person in the article who asks whether they would really need a manned fighter in the future is perhaps right given it may be 20 years before a new jet is in operation. But I feel like they should focus on an existing fighter like the Gripen and on drones instead of giving more money and control to America.

by SilverElfin

2/19/2026 at 7:14:08 AM

The Gripen is fine for defensive missions but it's not even remotely close to the F-35A for offensive strikes. The Gripen has shorter range, less survivability, weaker sensors, and isn't certified for the NATO nuclear weapon sharing program. Nor are there any drones capable of carrying out complex, long-range offensive strike missions in contested airspace: maybe in 10 years but not today.

by nradov

2/19/2026 at 9:31:21 AM

10 years is optimsitic if you look at modern development programs. Who is developing this amazing next generation drone that will solve all these problems. Nobody in Europe is currently, and that means it wont exist in 10 years.

by panick21_