Germany confirmed Monday it aims to replace its ageing fleet of Tornado fighter-bombers with aircraft from both European manufacturer Airbus and Boeing.
Berlin is eager to balance European and American alliances via its military aircraft-buying scheme, but the decision to move ahead with the US purchases has angered some politicians who allege a lack of transparency.
An official decision on the procurement plan will be sent to parliament’s defence committee “in the coming days,” defence ministry spokesman Arne Collatz-Johannsen said in Berlin.
“Fewer than a third” of the new aircraft would be American models, with the majority made up of European products, he added.
