David Roth submitted Interpellation 26.4384 via Curia Vista on 1 October 2026 under the original title '26.4384 – F-35-Beschaffung: Möglichkeiten eines Third Party Transfer bereits bestellter oder gelieferter Kampfjets an Drittstaaten' (translation: '26.4384 – F-35 procurement: possibilities of a Third Party Transfer of already ordered or delivered fighter jets to third countries').
Submitted text of the interpellation (translation from German)
What legal and procedural steps (DSCA, State Department, Lockheed Martin) would be necessary for F-35A jets to be transferred to another F-35 partner country within the framework of a Third Party Transfer – both already ordered and already delivered aircraft? What discussions have been held so far with the USA, the DSCA, or Lockheed Martin regarding this option, and with what result? If none: by when will these discussions have taken place? The Federal Council itself acknowledges that a reduced fleet has negative consequences for mission fulfilment and endurance. Given that the F-35, according to documented readiness rates, is more maintenance-intensive and therefore simultaneously available to a lesser extent than other fighter aircraft types, a reduction in the number of this model disproportionately affects the effectively operational fleet. What measures does the Federal Council intend to take to address this specific availability issue, and what role does cooperation with countries with greater procurement flexibility play in this? On what basis would the Federal Council reject the option of a partial transfer to such a country – in exchange for a reduction in the procurement credit? Which countries would be in question? Which deadlines, in particular the definitive number to be reported by mid-2027, limit the time window for this review, and by when will the Federal Council report to Parliament?