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Büchel Base Upgrade Cost Swells to €2 Billion for NATO F-35 Jets

Stricter US security mandates coupled with tight timelines drove the €800 million increase ahead of a new contract framework set for August.

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Die Kosten für den Umbau des Militärflughafens Büchel in Rheinland-Pfalz für neue US-Kampfjets werden voraussichtlich deutlich höher als ursprünglich geplant.
US-F-35 fliegen über die Militärparade während des Nationalen Armeetages in Warschau.

Overview

  • Germany’s Defense Ministry confirmed that the Büchel air base modernization will cost around €2 billion, up €800 million from the original €1.2 billion estimate.
  • The ministry attributes the overrun to stringent US-imposed security requirements and extreme time pressure to meet the 2027 operational deadline.
  • A revised framework contract with the general contractor is scheduled for signing in August to formalize updated costs and scope.
  • Further cost increases cannot be ruled out as additional personnel may be needed to adhere to the “extremely ambitious” timeline.
  • From 2027, Büchel will host 35 US F-35 stealth jets capable of deploying US nuclear weapons under NATO’s nuclear-sharing arrangement.