Construction of the first fifth-generation F-35A Lightning II fighter jet for the German Air Force has begun in the United States.

On Friday, December 6, the German Air Force commander and a representative of the weapons department signed the central wing section of the first aircraft.

The ceremony took place at the Lockheed Martin aircraft plant in the United States.

The first F-35A multirole fighter for Germany received the serial number MG-01.

According to the plan, in 2026, the first German F-35s will be deployed at the Ebbing Air National Guard Base in Arkansas. German technicians and pilots will be trained there.

Germany has ordered a total of 35 5th generation Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II fighters.

In July 2022, the U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency issued the necessary authorization for the sale of combat aircraft, weapons, and related equipment worth an estimated $8.4 billion.

The procurement of the latest fighters also includes the supply of spare jet engines, specialized military equipment, spare parts, and the provision of technical and logistical support for five years and personnel training.

The new fighter should improve Germany’s ability to counter current and future threats by replacing the German Tornado fleet, which is being decommissioned.

Under this agreement, Germany will produce the central fuselage sections of the F-35A Lightning II.

To implement this project, the German concern Rheinmetall plans to build a modern plant in Wietze, North Rhine-Westphalia. Production at the plant is scheduled to begin in 2025.

The new plant is expected to produce at least 400 F-35A fuselage center sections, which will be used to build fighters for the German Air Force and other countries that buy these fifth-generation American combat aircraft.