German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has questioned whether Germany will still need manned sixth-generation fighter jets in the future, citing high development costs and uncertainty around the FCAS programme.

On September 21, NATO fighter jets were scrambled again to intercept the Russian military aircraft.

Germany is reportedly planning to expand its fleet of U.S.-made F-35 fighter jets from 35 to 50 aircraft as tensions grow between Berlin and Paris over the future of Europe’s joint defense initiatives.

Türkiye is actively pursuing technical preparations to accelerate its planned acquisition of Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jets, according to a Defense Ministry official.