Fort Worth/Texas, 18 September 2026. In an impressive ceremony, manufacturer Lockheed Martin presented the first German fighter jet of the 5th generation to Germany’s political and military leadership. In front of about 200 guests, the curtain fell and behind it the F-35 with the tactical registration 35+01 appeared.
“For Germany and also for me personally, this moment is more than just the roll-out of a new state-of-the-art aircraft. This moment is living proof of the power of the transatlantic partnership and of the successful cooperation between Germany and the United States,” said Defence Minister Boris Pistorius. “This aircraft is leading the German Air Force into a new era of air power.”
The message of the F-35
The threat posed by Russia has taken on a new dimension. “Germany has heard the wake-up call – and we are responding to it.” When these machines take off, they would send a clear message: “We are strong. We are ready. We are united. And we will defend our security and our freedom!”
A new era begins
“The aircraft is not only the next German fighter jet. For us, this event opens the door to a completely new era,” emphasised German Air Force Chief General Holger Neumann. “The F-35 will change how we plan. It will change how we train. It will change how we operate – and ultimately how we fight.” It was only four years ago that Germany signed the contract for the F-35. “From the political decision to the execution – what we are experiencing today is an achievement of which we can all be very proud.”
Neumann said that there is one image he is particularly looking forward to: “A German F-35 taking to the skies with a German pilot at the controls – ready for action. Together, we will operate in the airspace and use the capabilities of the fifth generation from this day forward.”
20 nations fly F-35
“I am pleased that Germany is joining the family of F-35 nations,” Orlando ‘OJ’ Sanchez Jr., President of Lockheed Martin Aeronautics, had emphasised at the beginning of the event. The F-35 stands for trust. From the beginning of the development, the company has relied on a large circle of users.
“Train together, operate together!”
Minister Pistorius was accompanied from the BMVg by State Secretary Jens Plötner and the Political Director, Martin Schäfer, among others. Among the numerous high-ranking guests from the Air Force were Major General Arne Kuebart, Head of the Bundeswehr Aviation Office, and Major General Frank Gräfe, Chief of Staff at Allied Air Command. The defence industry was represented by Thomas Gottschild (MBDA), Hartmut Rauch (Diehl Defence), Oliver Dörre (Hensoldt) and Timo Haas (Rheinmetall Electronics), among others.
Delivery
The 35 aircraft ordered will be delivered in four batches.
- Lot 18: eight F-35s in late 2026/early 2027
to remain in the US for training - Lot 19: ten F-35s at the end of 2027/beginning of 2028
- Lot 20: ten F-35s at the end of 2028/beginning of 2029
- Lot 21: seven F-35s at the end of 2029/beginning of 2030.
Training
The first German F-35A pilots have already been selected. Initially, experienced Tornado and Eurofighter pilots will be trained. They are to contribute their experience with both aircraft types, as the F-35A as a multi-role fighter aircraft is to take on numerous conventional tasks in addition to nuclear sharing. It is also expected that from the beginning of 2029, young pilots will be trained on the F-35A directly after their basic flight training.
Training is carried out under the leadership of the 1st German Air Force Training Squadron at Ebbing Air National Guard Base, Arkansas for aviation and Eglin Air Force Base, Florida for technical and logistical training.
Operational readiness
Joint flight operations of Tornado and F-35 will begin at the end of 2027. The initial operational capability (IOC) of the F-35 is scheduled for the second half of 2029. In 2030, the use of the Tornado will end, according to the plan. Full operational capability of the German F-35A is targeted for 2032.
Financing
Funds for F-35 fighter jets of almost €10 billion will be provided from the Bundeswehr special fund. In addition to the 35 aircraft, the overall package also includes their spare parts, armament and maintenance for a period of five years.
Author: Burghard Lindhorst, Chief Reporter
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