German Air Force puts all its hopes on American weapons

Germany plans to purchase Joint Strike Missile (JSM) cruise missiles from Norway to equip its upcoming fleet of F-35A stealth fighters.

The German military has announced plans to buy JSM stealth missiles to equip its fleet of Lockheed Martin F-35A stealth fighters, Norwegian Defense Minister Tore O. Sandvik said. A contract for the missiles is expected to be signed with Germany in the first half of this year, according to a statement from the Norwegian Defense Ministry .

“Germany is an extremely important European partner in defense cooperation, as well as an important and valuable NATO ally,” Norwegian Defense Minister Tore O. Sandvik added. The deal is expected to be worth around $645 million, but the total number of missiles involved was not disclosed.

The move to equip the German air force with advanced long-range strike capabilities, matching the F-35's stealth capabilities, marks Berlin's efforts to revamp its aging air force amid rising geopolitical tensions in Europe.

Moreover, the purchase of Norwegian missiles not only strengthens Germany's military power, but also underscores a deeper defense partnership with Norway, reflecting a broader trend in NATO's efforts to increase interoperability and advanced technology to counter modern threats.

The JSM is a multi-role weapon designed for both anti-ship and land attack missions. Measuring 4 meters long and weighing 416 kg, the JSM can carry a 120 kg warhead and has a range of 185 to 555 km. The JSM has a compact design, allowing it to fit into the internal weapons bay of the F-35, preserving the aircraft's low radar cross section.

In addition, the JSM is equipped with an advanced sensor suite for the missile, including an infrared seeker, GPS/INS navigation and terrain reference navigation, allowing it to attack well-protected targets with precision while evading sophisticated air defense systems.

Unlike other missiles in the German arsenal, such as the Taurus KEPD 350, which are too large to be carried internally and must be mounted externally, thereby reducing the F-35’s stealth capabilities, the integration of the JSM ensures that the German Air Force can exploit the full potential of the next-generation fighter without sacrificing survivability.

The choice of the JSM over other options, such as the Taurus missile, underscores Germany’s preference for stealth and operational flexibility. The Taurus is a long-range cruise missile developed by German consortium MBDA and Saab, with a range of more than 500 km and designed for precision strikes against hardened targets.

However, the Taurus is larger than the JSM at 5.1 meters long and weighs 1,400 kg, but it is not compatible with the internal compartment of the F-35. Mounting it externally would increase the aircraft's radar signature, negating the stealth advantage that makes the F-35 so effective against advanced air defense systems like Russia's S-400.

The JSM, by contrast, is designed to be carried internally, a feature that Kongsberg stresses is unique in its class. “The Joint Strike Missile provides advanced capabilities for low-observable aircraft such as the F-35,” Kongsberg said in a statement on June 5, 2025, noting its ability to engage targets at long ranges while maintaining the aircraft’s stealth profile.

The acquisition was carried out as a government-to-government sale through the Norwegian Defence Material Agency, reflecting the strategic alignment between Berlin and Oslo, building on existing bilateral defence cooperation.

The German Air Force's adoption of the JSM also signals a shift in the country's defense posture, driven by the changing security landscape in Europe since the Russia-Ukraine conflict erupted in 2022.

bulgarianmilitary View source link

Original article link Copy link

https://bulgarianmilitary.com/2025/06/05/germany-arms-f-35s-with-stealth-jsm-snubs-taurus-for-luftwaffe/

Source: https://khoahocdoisong.vn/khong-quan-duc-dat-het-hy-vong-vao-vu-khi-my-post1546933.html