Lockheed Martin Completes Assembly of First F-35 for Germany

Lockheed Martin has completed the assembly of the first F-35A Lightning II fighter for the German Air Force.

Lockheed Martin announced this on its social media channels.

The aircraft will undergo painting and the application of stealth coatings, and will remain in the United States for some time to train pilots before being handed over to Germany.

Germany officially ordered 35 fifth-generation Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II fighter aircraft on December 14, 2022. The primary purpose of the procurement is to replace the aging Panavia Tornado fighter-bombers, which Germany plans to fully retire by 2030.

On December 6, 2024, production of the first F-35A Lightning II for the Luftwaffe began in the United States.

The key reason for selecting the F-35A was the need to maintain Germany’s participation in NATO’s nuclear deterrence mission. The U.S. B61 nuclear bombs stationed in Germany are intended to be delivered by German aircraft.

At present, there are no direct alternatives to the F-35 for this mission. Most European fighter aircraft are fourth-generation platforms with limited capabilities, while the only European B61-capable aircraft, the Tornado, is due to be retired soon.

The first German F-35As are expected to enter service in 2027. Under the current plan, the first aircraft will be based at Ebbing Air National Guard Base in Arkansas as early as 2026, where German pilots and maintenance crews will receive training.

Earlier this year, reports emerged that Germany was considering ordering additional 35 F-35As. In October, Der Spiegel, citing documents from the German Federal Ministry of Defence, reported that such plans were under consideration.

In summer 2025, Rheinmetall completed construction of a facility near Weeze Airport to manufacture components for the F-35A. The acquisition of the fighters therefore brings Germany not only military, but also economic and industrial benefits, with German companies involved in producing components for the aircraft. The first parts are expected to be shipped to the United States in fall 2026.

Meanwhile, the European sixth-generation fighter project, the Future Combat Air System (FCAS), has run into difficulties amid disagreements between its partners, including French company Dassault’s push for a leading role in the program. Against this backdrop, some German politicians have considered the GCAP program, jointly developed by the United Kingdom, Italy, and Japan, as a possible alternative.

Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II

Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II is an American family of fifth-generation multirole fighter aircraft incorporating stealth technology.

In particular, the F-35A (CTOL) is the conventional takeoff and landing variant and the baseline version of the family. The aircraft is designed for strike missions, electronic warfare, intelligence, reconnaissance, and surveillance. Its advanced avionics and sensor suite provide a high level of situational awareness and the ability to engage targets at long range.

In 2025, Lockheed Martin set a record by delivering 191 F-35 aircraft to customers. As of 2026, approximately 1,300 of these fighter jets are in service worldwide.