Luftwaffe considering F-18 Super Hornet?

[Tally-ho]

Still undecided is the question of what will replace the ageing Luftwaffe Tornados. This issue is becoming increasingly urgent seeing as the German Air Force has decided against the F-35 and no clear plans are in place for a 5th generation aircraft. An interesting read is the article in Aerotime:-

https://www.aerotime.aero/clement.charp ... an-tornado

Issues raised are:-
- "As part of NATO nuclear sharing, participating countries have to operate at least one type of aircraft capable of carrying one of the estimated 190 U.S. B61 nuclear bombs". Tornado can, but then what?
- German political pressure aims for Luftwaffe Tornados to be replaced with the Eurofighter Typhoon, however, the Typhoon is not (currently) certified to carry nuclear munitions.

Has the Luftwaffe even got the military will to carry nuclear munitions? This issue of Luftwaffe Tornado replacement is one to watch.

[Unknown74]

Take it the Germans don’t fancy anything French then? Mirage 2000 or Rafale sort of thing?.......

[awacsfan]

Defenitely no French aircraft for the Luftwaffe...

[Alf]

And Mirage 2000 production ended in 2007.

[Unknown74]

Thought not. Also I didn’t realise the M2000 was no longer in production. - Still my favourite FRENCH Military Aircraft.

[richpittman]

Would be nice to see some nice paint scheme German F18

[Vulcanone]

Really

https://www.flightglobal.com/defence/fr ... 41.article

[red leader]

Why did they rule out the f 35?

[Kurnass]

Germany rules out single engined aircraft

[Tally-ho]

Why did they rule out the f 35?

Politics:- "One factor influencing Germany's decision is its joint plans with France to develop a next-generation Franco-German 'Future Combat Air System' (FCAS) between 2035 and 2040. If Germany had chosen the F-35 from Lockheed, it would have been an affront for France and endangered the FCAS project". Reference link below.

https://www.globalsecurity.org/military ... e-f-35.htm

Whether the German / French FCAS will be capable of carrying nuclear weapons remains to be seen.

[Vulcanone]

I suspect the French will have it as a requirement

[raameagle]

Typhoon all day long...
Regards
Mark

[C24]

From above,

If our Typhoons cannot carry nuclear weapons, how do we deliver them and when will the Typhoon be modified?
Is this situation the RAF equivalent to be without carrier capability?

[Tally-ho]

The RAF and RN has the F-35 which can carry (certified to carry) nuclear weapons, therefor RAF Typhoons need not have the capability. Other than that the Royal Navy has the Trident capability too. The issue is with the Luftwaffe and their commitment with Nato once their ageing Tornados are withdrawn.

[T_J]

From above,

If our Typhoons cannot carry nuclear weapons, how do we deliver them and when will the Typhoon be modified?
Is this situation the RAF equivalent to be without carrier capability?

There was no requirement for RAF Typhoons to be nuclear capable. The decision was made in 1998 to retire all free-fall nuclear weapons in UK service. That free-fall bomb was the WE.177. Prior to the RAF retiring WE.177 in 1998 the Royal Navy retired their WE.177s in 1992.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WE.177

[Alf]

I thought the only nuclear weapons the UK have left are the Trident missiles… everything else went in the 1990s.

[Nighthawke]

Part of the NATO nuclear sharing with a requirement for at least one type being capable of carrying and delivering nuclear weapons. Currently US B61s I believe.

[Ghost from above]

The only requirement is that they must have an aircraft capable of carrying nuclear weapons.The below is a quote from the NATO’s nuclear deterrence policy and forces document.

Dual-capable aircraft
NATO’s nuclear deterrence posture relies on nuclear weapons forward-deployed by the United States in Europe, as well as on the capabilities and infrastructure provided by Allies concerned. A number of NATO member countries contribute a dual-capable aircraft (DCA) capability to the Alliance. These aircraft are central to NATO’s nuclear deterrence mission and are available for nuclear roles at various levels of readiness. In their nuclear role, the aircraft are equipped to carry nuclear bombs in a conflict and personnel are trained accordingly.

The United States maintains absolute control and custody of their nuclear weapons forward deployed in Europe, while Allies provide military support for the DCA mission with conventional forces and capabilities.

Full article here
https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/topics_50068.htm

[Kurnass]

Germany has a few reasons to buy the F-18. In their doctrine, they always had at least two different fighters in service. Also they don’t want single engine types (Starfighter trauma?). They have the Eurofighter consortium in their neck because of employment and so on. That will be solved by buying some 40 new Typhoons to replace Tranche 1 Typhoons.
They will also order new EW fighter jets. Growler or newly developed Typhoon version (last one favorite because of built in Germany).
The USA will make it (almost?) impossible to certify the Typhoon for the B61.
So in the end, the only realistic option will be the Super Hornet

[C24]

Thank you all for your replies, I'm glad that I asked.
So, are they planning to produce a twoseat Typhoon with Prowler like capabilities? More research required on my part.