Germany begins receiving Lockheed Martin F-35A fighter jets

Moscow (ANTARA) - The US defence company Lockheed Martin has begun delivering fifth-generation F-35A fighter jets to Germany, according to a report by the radio station Deutschlandfunk on Friday.

The German government plans to purchase 35 units of the aircraft, valued at 10 billion euros (approximately Rp181 trillion), the report stated.

Six fighter jets are expected to be delivered by the end of 2026, while the delivery of the final units to Germany is scheduled for completion in 2029.

The report added that training for German military personnel to operate the fighter jets has already commenced.

In April, Germany officially approved its first military strategy, which sets the target of forming the strongest army in Europe by 2039.

The strategy identifies Russia as the “primary threat.”

Kremlin Spokesperson Dmitry Peskov described Germany’s military concept as the “essence of Europe’s confrontation with Russia.”

In an interview with US journalist Tucker Carlson, Russian President Vladimir Putin explained that Russia has no intention of attacking NATO member states, as such a move would be entirely irrational.