Key facts
- Germany received its first F-35 fighter jet on Friday.
- The Franco-German-Spanish Future Combat Air System (FCAS) fighter jet development program has collapsed.
- Germany plans to use the F-35 to replace its aging Tornado fighter-bombers and maintain its role in NATO's nuclear sharing.
- The initial order is for 35 American jets, with an option to expand.
- German pilots and technicians will train in the U.S. before the jets are sent to Büchel Air Base in late 2027.
- Full operational capability for the F-35s is expected by 2030.
Germany has received its first F-35 fighter jet, a significant step as the country grapples with the collapse of Europe's flagship Future Combat Air System (FCAS) next-generation fighter project. The delivery, marked by a ceremony at Lockheed Martin's factory in Texas, signifies Germany's immediate solution for replacing its aging Tornado fleet and maintaining its commitment to NATO's nuclear sharing.
Defense Minister Boris Pistorius stated that the F-35 is currently the "only aircraft in the world" capable of fulfilling the nuclear sharing mission. The initial order comprises 35 U.S.-built jets, with discussions underway in Berlin about potentially expanding this order due to the void left by the failed FCAS program. The first F-35s will be used for training in the United States, with German pilots and technicians preparing for operations before the aircraft are deployed to Büchel Air Base in late 2027, aiming for full operational capability by 2030.
The collapse of the FCAS program, driven by disagreements between French and German companies over control and design specifications, has created a long-term gap in Germany's combat air capabilities. This has led to considerations of acquiring additional F-35s as a transitional measure, joining international sixth-generation programs, or pursuing a national development led by Airbus. German Air Force Chief Lt. Gen. Holger Neumann has requested the procurement of "fifth-gen-plus platforms beyond 2035."
While the F-35 addresses immediate needs, industry representatives like Marie-Christine von Hahn of BDLI emphasize the importance of Europe developing its own combat aircraft capabilities. Germany is also exploring participation in the U.K.-Italian-Japanese Global Combat Air Programme, though expansion is not currently favored by existing members. The development of Boeing's future sixth-generation F-47 is also a consideration, though potential sales to allies may involve less capable versions, according to U.S. President Donald Trump.
Integration of German industry into the F-35's maintenance and support structure is a key question, with Lockheed Martin noting that about a quarter of the jet's components are made in Europe, including fuselage parts from Germany's Rheinmetall. This highlights the existing defense-industrial ties between Europe, Canada, and the U.S., ties that are being tested by uncertainties surrounding U.S. commitment to European defense.