Lockheed Martin rolls out first F-35A stealth jet for Germany to replace aging Tornados

Germany has unveiled its first F-35A Lightning II as it prepares to field 35 fifth-generation fighter jets and replace its aging Tornado aircraft in the nuclear weapons mission.

Lockheed Martin presented Germany’s first F-35A to the German government at a ceremony at the company’s production facility in Fort Worth, Texas, on September 18. According to a Lockheed Martin news release, the company plans to deliver the first aircraft this year, with full operational capability planned for 2029.

Ebbing Air National Guard Base in Arkansas will receive the first eight German aircraft for pilot training beginning this fall. Lockheed Martin plans to send the first F-35s to Germany in late 2027.

“This is the beginning of a new era for the German Air Force: the new F-35A fighter jet is the world’s most advanced combat aircraft,” said German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius in the release.

“It is characterized by its stealth capabilities, close integration with other platforms, and exceptionally powerful sensor technology,” Pistorius added. “The F-35A can gather vast amounts of data and rapidly synthesize them into a comprehensive operational picture.”

Germany plans to acquire 35 F-35As. The program stems from an $8.8 billion deal Berlin signed in 2022 following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, according to Breaking Defense.

Germany’s $8.8 billion F-35 program

The agreement followed U.S. approval of a potential F-35 sale to Germany in 2022. The U.S. State Department approved the potential sale of up to 35 F-35As, along with munitions and related equipment, at an estimated cost of $8.4 billion, according to a July 2022 Defense Newsreport published on the F-35 website. The F-35 purchase reversed Germany’s earlier plans to acquire Boeing-built F-18 aircraft.

The aircraft are set to take over the nuclear weapons mission from the German Air Force’s aging PA-200 Tornado fleet by 2030, as per Defense News. The Tornados carrying out that mission are based at Tactical Air Wing 33 in Büchel, Germany.

“With the F-35, the German Air and Space Force is receiving a modern, proven and highly capable 5th Generation fighter jet,” noted Lt. Gen. Holger Neumann, chief of the German Air and Space Force, in Lockheed Martin’s release.

“It will not only bring significant changes in our Air and Space Force but will also influence how we think, command and fight,” stated Neumann. “The F-35 will allow us to become part of the larger international F-35 community.”

Germany prepares for F-35 deliveries

Lockheed Martin said twenty nations have selected the F-35, including 13 in Europe. More than 1,355 F-35s are currently operational worldwide, and the fleet has surpassed 1 million flight hours while operating from 42 bases.

German industry has participated in the F-35 program since 2001. Lockheed Martin said it continues to explore additional opportunities for German companies in manufacturing, sustainment, training, and research and development.

With Germany’s first aircraft now unveiled, the next eight F-35As are scheduled to head to Arkansas for pilot training beginning this fall. The first aircraft are due to arrive in Germany in late 2027, ahead of planned full operational capability in 2029.