Key facts
- German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius plans a September trip to Washington and Texas.
- The trip aims for a meeting with U.S. counterpart Pete Hegseth.
- A previous attempt to meet Hegseth in May was canceled.
- Discussions will focus on defense procurement projects.
- The trip includes a ceremony for the rollout of Germany's first F-35 fighter jet.
German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius is planning a renewed effort to meet with his U.S. counterpart, Pete Hegseth, during a trip to Washington and Texas scheduled for September. This marks a second attempt to secure a dedicated meeting after an earlier effort in May fell through, representing a setback for Berlin's efforts to maintain direct access to the Trump administration amid growing uncertainty about the U.S. military's role in Europe.
The proposed five-day trip in mid-September includes potential meetings with members of Congress, National Security Council representatives, and defense industry executives, alongside a visit to the Pentagon. The visit is set to conclude in the Dallas-Fort Worth area with a rollout ceremony for the first American-built F-35 fighter jet destined for the German armed forces. Germany has ordered 35 of these stealth fighters to replace its aging Tornado fleet, which includes the capability to carry U.S. nuclear bombs stationed in Germany.
Discussions are expected to cover relevant procurement projects and the organization of defense purchasing. The F-35 rollout ceremony, scheduled for September 18, will mark the formal public unveiling of the aircraft, which is currently in final assembly at Lockheed Martin's Fort Worth factory. The first eight German F-35s will initially remain in the U.S. for pilot training, with the first aircraft anticipated to arrive at Germany's Büchel air base in 2027. Germany is also considering expanding its fleet with an additional 15 aircraft.