FORT WORTH, Texas — Germany has formally accepted its first F-35A Lightning II fighter jet from Lockheed Martin, marking the start of deliveries under its order for 35 aircraft.
German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius accepted the aircraft during a ceremony at Lockheed Martin’s production facility in Fort Worth, Texas, on September 18, 2026. The aircraft is designated 35+01 and carries production number MG-01. It completed its maiden flight at the same facility on September 8.
Germany’s F-35A Programme
Germany ordered 35 F-35As in December 2022 as part of efforts to modernise the Luftwaffe following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The approximately €10 billion programme includes the aircraft, engines, mission equipment, spare parts, training and support.
The F-35As are primarily intended to replace Germany’s ageing Panavia Tornado fleet, including its role in NATO’s nuclear-sharing arrangement. Germany plans to achieve full operational capability with the F-35 fleet by 2029.
Pistorius highlighted the F-35A’s low-observable characteristics, advanced sensors, electronic warfare capabilities and real-time data processing. He also noted its ability to share information with other platforms and improve interoperability with the 19 other F-35 partner nations.
Initial Training in the United States
The first eight German F-35As will remain in the United States for pilot and maintenance training. They are scheduled to move to Ebbing Air National Guard Base in Arkansas later this autumn.
The first German F-35As are expected to arrive in Germany in the third quarter of 2027, with additional aircraft following through 2029.
Büchel Base Upgrades
Germany plans to operate the F-35As from Büchel Air Base in Rhineland-Palatinate, home to Tactical Air Wing 33.
The German government is investing approximately €2 billion to prepare the base for the aircraft. The work includes upgrades to maintenance facilities, hangars, safety systems, digital networks, runways and taxiways, along with other infrastructure required for F-35 operations and the nuclear mission. Flight-operation infrastructure is expected to be ready in 2027.
German Industry Joins F-35 Production
German defence company Rheinmetall is also participating in the F-35 programme. Its facility in Weeze, North Rhine-Westphalia, manufactures the aircraft’s centre fuselage sections.
Rheinmetall has a contract to produce more than 400 centre fuselage sections for F-35 aircraft operated by Germany and other countries, making German industry part of the programme’s global supply chain.
F-35A Fleet
The F-35A is designed for multi-domain operations, combining low-observable characteristics, sensor systems, electronic warfare capabilities, precision-strike functions and real-time data processing. More than 1,350 F-35s are in service across 20 nations, with additional aircraft operating or planned in Europe.
The acceptance of 35+01 begins Germany’s transition from the Tornado to the F-35A. German pilot and maintenance training will continue in the United States before the aircraft begin operating from Germany.
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