The decision to procure the JSMs follows an earlier announcement by German authorities on June 5, 2025, confirming their intent to proceed with this critical armaments purchase through a streamlined government-to-government framework. This strategic move aligns with Germany’s broader efforts to modernize its armed forces and reinforce its contributions to NATO interoperability. The German Air Force is in the process of acquiring 35 Lockheed Martin F-35A aircraft to replace its aging Panavia Tornado fleet, a step crucial for maintaining its participation in NATO’s nuclear sharing mission.
The Joint Strike Missile is a fifth-generation, air-launched cruise missile developed by Kongsberg in partnership with Raytheon Missiles & Defense. Its design is particularly noteworthy for its seamless integration into the F-35’s internal weapons bay, a feature essential for preserving the stealth fighter’s low-observable profile during missions. The JSM boasts an impressive operational range exceeding 500 kilometers, carries a potent 400-kilogram warhead, and incorporates advanced guidance systems that enable it to engage both land-based and maritime targets with high precision, even in heavily contested environments.
Equipping Germany’s F-35A fleet with the JSM will provide the German Air Force with formidable deep precision strike capabilities from stand-off distances. This minimizes the exposure of valuable aircraft and pilots to enemy air defenses, significantly enhancing the F-35’s versatility as a multi-domain platform. Both Norwegian and German Defense Ministers, Tore O. Sandvik and Boris Pistorius, respectively, hailed the agreement as a cornerstone of a burgeoning strategic alliance and a testament to the successful defense cooperation between Berlin and Oslo. This acquisition marks a pivotal moment for German air power, bolstering its ability to deter and respond to threats across the European theater.