Minister F-35 deal does not make Germany more dependent on US

Defence Minister Boris Pistorius has dismissed fears that Germany is making itself dependent on the United States by purchasing the US F-35 combat aircraft.

"We want to become more independent," he told public broadcaster ZDF on Friday evening.

Germany nevertheless wanted and needed to continue cooperating with its "biggest allies" in the defence industry, particularly where successful partnerships already existed or where systems were not yet available in Europe, he said.

"We are allies, after all, and we intend to remain so. And that includes developing and procuring equipment together," Pistorius said, adding that there were mutual interests.

He said the United States also had an interest in making use of European defence industry capacity, expertise, engineering technology and production sites amid sharply increased global demand.

In a few years, 700 F-35s would be in service with European armed forces, Pistorius said. "The upkeep and maintenance of these aircraft cannot be handled from the United States alone. That requires sites in Europe," he said, adding that this would also generate contracts for European companies.

"We should therefore continue down this path," he added.

Pistorius was earlier presented with the first of 35 F-35 aircraft ordered by Germany during a visit to Fort Worth, Texas.

The aircraft would give the German military, the Bundeswehr, "the most capable fighter jet in the world," he said.

Germany is spending around €10 billion ($11.5 billion) on the purchase.