BERLIN/WASHINGTON – Germany is considering ordering more U.S.-made F-35 fighter jets, two sources said, a move that would deepen Berlin’s reliance on American military technology ​as its joint next-generation fighter program with France falters.

One source said Berlin was ‌in talks ‌that could lead to the purchase of more than 35 additional ​jets. A second source did not specify the number. Both sources cautioned the outcome was still uncertain.

In 2022, Germany purchased 35 of the aircraft, which are due to begin delivery ⁠later this year.

The potential acquisition of more Lockheed Martin stealth fighters, at a cost of more than $80 ⁠million each, comes as Germany and France are deadlocked on their Future Combat Air System (FCAS) program.

The €100 billion project, launched in 2017 to replace France’s Rafales and ​Eurofighters from 2040, has been stalled by ⁠industrial rivalries.

Insiders expect Germany and France to abandon the development of a joint fighter jet but continue cooperation on drones and the ⁠so-called combat cloud, ​the digital backbone linking manned and unmanned platforms within the ​FCAS system.

Purchasing more F-35 jets would buy Germany time to figure out a ​solution ‌for the development of a sixth-generation fighter jet and finding a partner for such a project.

Germany could try to join the rival British-Italian-Japanese Global Combat Air Program (GCAP), which is due to enter service by 2035 — five years earlier than FCAS is nominally due to arrive — though it’s unclear whether it could become a full partner in the initiative.

Germany’s Defense Ministry did not immediately comment while a Pentagon spokesperson referred questions to Germany.

A spokesperson for defense contractor Lockheed Martin said the company was focused ‌on building F-35s already ordered by Germany.

Expansion of Germany’s F-35 fleet would mark a significant strategic shift toward deeper military integration with the United States and away from European defense autonomy, a priority for fellow European Union member France.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz questioned on Wednesday whether developing a manned ​sixth-generation ​jet, as FCAS has sought to do, still made sense for ​his country’s air force.

“Will we still need a manned fighter jet in 20 years’ ⁠time? Do we still need it, given that we will have to develop it at great expense?” Merz said on the Machtwechsel podcast published Wednesday.

The F-35 aircraft will succeed the Tornado jets in their role of carrying U.S. nuclear bombs stored ​in Germany in the event of a conflict.

The F-35 is the only Western fighter jet certified to carry the most modern B61 nuclear bombs.

German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said last week the fate of FCAS would become clear within days.