Germany has asked the U.S. Defense Department through a letter to provide classified data on the Lockheed Martin-built F-35 fighter aircraft as the country’s air force prepares to replace its fleet of Tornado jets between 2025 and 2035, Reuters reported Wednesday.A group of officers within the German air force has started to collect data for an analysis of alternatives for a new fighter jet and has begun to work with the defense ministry’s air combat system task force to reach a decision on the program by the middle of 2018, according to the letter obtained by Reuters.
“In order to understand (the) F-35’s cutting-edge technologies, the German air force is requesting a classified brief of the F-35’s capabilities in general and especially concerning sensor suites, information management and operational capabilities,” the letter said.
The letter added U.S. officials in Bonn, Germany, suggested a video conference to facilitate the classified briefing, which a source says could last for approximately eight hours.
DoD’s F-35 program office said it had received the German air force’s letter and initiated efforts to support the country’s request for classified briefing, the report added.
