Germany’s first F-35A Lightning II has completed final assembly, bringing the aircraft closer to delivery and training with the German Air Force.
Germany’s first F-35A Lightning II has completed final assembly, bringing the aircraft closer to delivery and training with the German Air Force.
Lockheed Martin said the aircraft has moved into Aircraft Final Finishes after completing final assembly at its production facility in Fort Worth, Texas. The aircraft is part of Berlin's planned fleet of 35 F-35As.
Germany selected the F-35A in 2022 as the country’s future nuclear-capable fighter and a key component of its contribution to NATO’s nuclear sharing mission.
The F-35A will give Germany a fifth-generation fighter with stealth, advanced sensors, and networked communications while allowing the Luftwaffe to participate in NATO's integrated air operations.
Germany’s F-35A Program Moves Forward
Germany's F-35 program has progressed through several major milestones since Berlin selected the aircraft.
The country formally signed the procurement agreement in July 2023, with deliveries planned from 2026. The aircraft will replace Germany's Tornado fleet, which has served since the 1980s.
In 2024, the US and Germany agreed to establish a German F-35 training presence at Ebbing Air National Guard Base in Arkansas, where German pilots and maintenance personnel will train alongside US personnel.
Meanwhile, Germany has been upgrading Büchel Air Base to support the new fighters. The work includes new facilities and infrastructure needed for F-35 operations, including security requirements associated with the aircraft's role in NATO's nuclear sharing mission.
