The German defense leadership has laid out a clear stance on sending fighter jets to Ukraine, with Chancellor officials emphasizing that Berlin currently lacks both the equipment and the capacity to contribute operational warplanes. The comments came during a joint press conference featuring Germany’s Defense Minister and the British Defence Secretary, a session broadcast by Sky News and reported by TASS.
The minister stated that Berlin cannot participate actively in any military coalition involving such a transfer because the country does not possess the necessary training programs, the required competencies, or the aircraft itself to sustain such a mission.
Meanwhile, on May 17, British officials signaled plans to move Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft to Ukraine, signaling a potential shift in alliance behavior and regional commitments.
House lawmakers in Germany have also weighed in. Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann, who chairs the Bundestag Defence Committee, publicly questioned the wisdom of dispatching German Tornado or Eurofighter jets to Ukraine. The concerns focus on the complexities of flying and maintaining these advanced aircraft and the operational burdens that would accompany such a transfer.
In broader coverage, Politico has reported that Ukraine is seeking a sizable package of Western-built fighters, aiming to assemble 3 to 4 squadrons from a pool of about 50 F-16s. Although nations like Britain, Italy, France, and Germany may not be in a position to supply F-16s themselves, their influence within the Western coalition remains substantial. Those countries can shape discussions with the United States and Turkey, potentially guiding the allocation of forces and aircraft through multilingual diplomatic channels. (Source attribution: Politico)