Germany to expand fleet of US-made F-35s to 50 units as delays affect future European fighter jet
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As reported by Politico on July 10, 2025, Germany plans to expand its order of F-35A fighter jets from 35 to 50 aircraft. Talks between Berlin and Washington regarding this potential acquisition are ongoing but have not yet been made public. The move comes amid renewed tensions in the trilateral Future Combat Air System (FCAS) program involving France, Germany, and Spain, as disputes about industrial workshare have reportedly contributed to stalled progress. During a meeting with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, Chancellor Friedrich Merz acknowledged unresolved disagreements within the consortium and stated the issue would be addressed in the coming months. The possible procurement of 15 additional U.S.-built fighter jets represents a significant step by the German government as it seeks to address capability gaps expected before FCAS enters service.Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link
The F-35A is the conventional takeoff and landing variant of the F-35 Lightning II and is intended to support NATO’s nuclear sharing strategy by carrying B61 nuclear bombs stationed in Germany, a role currently assigned to the older Panavia Tornado. (Picture source: US Air Force)
Germany’s consideration of the F-35 predates its 2022 acquisition decision and has a complex political and institutional background. The first confidential discussions with Lockheed Martin occurred during the Paris Air Show in June 2017, initiated by a request from the German Ministry of Defense. By September that year, Boeing and Airbus were also approached for classified briefings on the F-15, Super Hornet, and Eurofighter Typhoon, respectively. The German Air Force initially favored the F-35 based on mission suitability, but internal opposition emerged. Statements of preference by Lieutenant General Karl Müllner resulted in his dismissal in 2018, an action widely interpreted as an attempt to redirect procurement toward the Typhoon. Despite earlier political resistance, Germany announced in March 2022 its intention to procure 35 F-35A aircraft to replace the Tornado in the NATO nuclear sharing role. The U.S. State Department approved the $8.4 billion deal in July 2022. The Bundestag approved funding on December 14, 2022, and the contract was signed the same day. Aircraft deliveries are expected to begin in 2026, with initial operating capability in 2028 and the arrival of the first aircraft at Büchel Air Base scheduled for 2027.
The F-35A is the conventional takeoff and landing variant of the F-35 Lightning II and is intended to support NATO’s nuclear sharing strategy by carrying B61 nuclear bombs stationed in Germany. Its internal weapons bays and radar-absorbing design allow it to penetrate contested airspace while minimizing detection by enemy radar systems. It can conduct both air-to-air and air-to-ground missions, carrying a mix of precision-guided munitions, including the B61-12 nuclear bomb, Joint Direct Attack Munitions (JDAM), and AIM-120 AMRAAM missiles. The aircraft’s sensor suite, including the AN/APG-81 AESA radar and Distributed Aperture System (DAS), enables 360-degree situational awareness and targeting in complex environments. The F-35A’s sensor fusion and datalink capabilities allow it to act as a battlefield node, sharing targeting data with other platforms to coordinate multi-domain operations. Its combat radius of over 1,200 kilometers and internal fuel load of more than 8,200 kilograms support long-range strike and patrol missions without reliance on external tanks that would compromise stealth.
The Future Combat Air System (FCAS), in contrast, remains in early development, with a demonstrator flight not expected before 2028 or 2029. Internal German discussions in 2023 regarding the acquisition of eight more F-35s produced no concrete outcome, but the current proposal for 15 is reportedly under more serious review. Chancellor Merz, who has previously called for stronger European defense capabilities and reduced reliance on the United States, acknowledged earlier this year that strategic autonomy remains a long-term goal. Nevertheless, he identified European strengthening as a “priority” in a televised address, while also warning in June that U.S. tolerance for low European defense spending “will not continue.” The decision to pursue additional U.S. aircraft reflects the operational requirements of the German Air Force and Germany’s obligation under NATO frameworks.
The industrial aspect of Germany’s F-35 involvement has expanded significantly with the July 1, 2025, completion of a €200 million Rheinmetall production facility in Weeze, North Rhine-Westphalia. The plant, developed in cooperation with Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman, will manufacture center fuselage sections for the F-35A. It is the second such assembly line worldwide after Palmdale, California. The Weeze site spans 60,000 square meters and includes logistics, quality control, training, and research areas. Designed to produce 30 fuselage sections per year, with a scalable capacity of 36, the plant has employed 200 workers as of mid-2025 and is expected to exceed 400 employees by the end of 2026. The first fuselage section, composed of approximately 300,000 parts and weighing two tons, is scheduled for delivery to the U.S. in autumn 2026. Rheinmetall signed a framework agreement with Northrop Grumman to manufacture at least 400 units over a 17–20-year period. The production line was prepared with equipment deliveries from the U.S. beginning in early 2025, totaling around 35 shipments of heavy machinery. A training agreement with AERO-Bildungs GmbH was launched in April 2024 to replicate Northrop Grumman’s training model and ensure local technical readiness. The first German F-35A aircraft, designated MG-01, began construction in the U.S. on December 6, 2024.
Germany’s acquisition of the F-35A is part of a broader European participation in the program, which includes contributions from multiple countries. According to Belgian Deputy Prime Minister Kris Peeters, approximately 30 percent of the aircraft’s components are manufactured in Europe. The United Kingdom contributes around 15 percent of each aircraft’s value, including the rear fuselage, pilot controls, ejection seats, and vertical lift fan systems for the F-35B. BAE Systems and Rolls-Royce are the main suppliers. Denmark’s Terma has produced more than 30,000 components, including pylons, composite panels, and electronics housings. Dutch firms such as Fokker Technologies and Thales Netherlands provide radar, power systems, and airframe elements. Woensdrecht Air Base in the Netherlands serves as one of three global hubs for F-35 spare parts, though ownership of those parts remains with the United States until they are installed. Finland’s Patria is establishing a production plant in Jämsä that will produce 400 fuselage sections and landing gear doors from 2026 to 2040. It will also maintain the F135 engine used by the F-35. Belgian firms have secured component work, with Asco producing titanium flaperon spars delivered to Fokker, and SABCA manufacturing horizontal tail sections and fuselage longerons.
Outside the EU, several partner countries contribute to the F-35 supply chain. In Japan, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries is responsible for the final assembly of aircraft for the Japan Air Self-Defense Force and manufactures structural parts, while Mitsubishi Electric produces radar and electronic components. In Australia, BAE Systems Australia supplies titanium bulkheads and vertical stabilizers. Quickstep Holdings manufactures carbon-fiber parts, including fairings and lower side skins. Canadian companies such as Magellan Aerospace and Héroux-Devtek contribute horizontal tails, landing gear elements, and engine parts. In Israel, Elbit Systems co-produces the helmet-mounted display system and cockpit interface elements with Collins Aerospace. These suppliers participate in a decentralized global manufacturing network involving more than 1,900 firms across multiple countries, enabling flexible logistics, shared sustainment, and redundancy in case of disruptions. All parts not yet installed on an aircraft remain U.S. government property and are distributed under an international pooled logistics system.
Chancellor Merz and French President Emmanuel Macron are expected to meet in Berlin later in July 2025 to discuss both the FCAS impasse and the trajectory of European defense cooperation. Simultaneously, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius is scheduled to meet U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth next week. It remains uncertain whether the proposed additional F-35 procurement will be finalized at that meeting. The German Ministry of Defense has declined to comment publicly. The German government has stated that the Bundeswehr intends to operate the F-35 using internal military personnel and the pooled international spare parts system, in order to maintain readiness even in the case of restricted U.S. system access. According to public statements, no European aircraft currently offers an equivalent capability for Germany’s nuclear mission. The decision to expand the F-35 order aligns with both operational requirements and broader strategic-industrial planning, amid ongoing efforts to reconcile short-term capability gaps with long-term European defense objectives.
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As reported by Politico on July 10, 2025, Germany plans to expand its order of F-35A fighter jets from 35 to 50 aircraft. Talks between Berlin and Washington regarding this potential acquisition are ongoing but have not yet been made public. The move comes amid renewed tensions in the trilateral Future Combat Air System (FCAS) program involving France, Germany, and Spain, as disputes about industrial workshare have reportedly contributed to stalled progress. During a meeting with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, Chancellor Friedrich Merz acknowledged unresolved disagreements within the consortium and stated the issue would be addressed in the coming months. The possible procurement of 15 additional U.S.-built fighter jets represents a significant step by the German government as it seeks to address capability gaps expected before FCAS enters service.
Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link
The F-35A is the conventional takeoff and landing variant of the F-35 Lightning II and is intended to support NATO’s nuclear sharing strategy by carrying B61 nuclear bombs stationed in Germany, a role currently assigned to the older Panavia Tornado. (Picture source: US Air Force)
Germany’s consideration of the F-35 predates its 2022 acquisition decision and has a complex political and institutional background. The first confidential discussions with Lockheed Martin occurred during the Paris Air Show in June 2017, initiated by a request from the German Ministry of Defense. By September that year, Boeing and Airbus were also approached for classified briefings on the F-15, Super Hornet, and Eurofighter Typhoon, respectively. The German Air Force initially favored the F-35 based on mission suitability, but internal opposition emerged. Statements of preference by Lieutenant General Karl Müllner resulted in his dismissal in 2018, an action widely interpreted as an attempt to redirect procurement toward the Typhoon. Despite earlier political resistance, Germany announced in March 2022 its intention to procure 35 F-35A aircraft to replace the Tornado in the NATO nuclear sharing role. The U.S. State Department approved the $8.4 billion deal in July 2022. The Bundestag approved funding on December 14, 2022, and the contract was signed the same day. Aircraft deliveries are expected to begin in 2026, with initial operating capability in 2028 and the arrival of the first aircraft at Büchel Air Base scheduled for 2027.
The F-35A is the conventional takeoff and landing variant of the F-35 Lightning II and is intended to support NATO’s nuclear sharing strategy by carrying B61 nuclear bombs stationed in Germany. Its internal weapons bays and radar-absorbing design allow it to penetrate contested airspace while minimizing detection by enemy radar systems. It can conduct both air-to-air and air-to-ground missions, carrying a mix of precision-guided munitions, including the B61-12 nuclear bomb, Joint Direct Attack Munitions (JDAM), and AIM-120 AMRAAM missiles. The aircraft’s sensor suite, including the AN/APG-81 AESA radar and Distributed Aperture System (DAS), enables 360-degree situational awareness and targeting in complex environments. The F-35A’s sensor fusion and datalink capabilities allow it to act as a battlefield node, sharing targeting data with other platforms to coordinate multi-domain operations. Its combat radius of over 1,200 kilometers and internal fuel load of more than 8,200 kilograms support long-range strike and patrol missions without reliance on external tanks that would compromise stealth.
The Future Combat Air System (FCAS), in contrast, remains in early development, with a demonstrator flight not expected before 2028 or 2029. Internal German discussions in 2023 regarding the acquisition of eight more F-35s produced no concrete outcome, but the current proposal for 15 is reportedly under more serious review. Chancellor Merz, who has previously called for stronger European defense capabilities and reduced reliance on the United States, acknowledged earlier this year that strategic autonomy remains a long-term goal. Nevertheless, he identified European strengthening as a “priority” in a televised address, while also warning in June that U.S. tolerance for low European defense spending “will not continue.” The decision to pursue additional U.S. aircraft reflects the operational requirements of the German Air Force and Germany’s obligation under NATO frameworks.
The industrial aspect of Germany’s F-35 involvement has expanded significantly with the July 1, 2025, completion of a €200 million Rheinmetall production facility in Weeze, North Rhine-Westphalia. The plant, developed in cooperation with Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman, will manufacture center fuselage sections for the F-35A. It is the second such assembly line worldwide after Palmdale, California. The Weeze site spans 60,000 square meters and includes logistics, quality control, training, and research areas. Designed to produce 30 fuselage sections per year, with a scalable capacity of 36, the plant has employed 200 workers as of mid-2025 and is expected to exceed 400 employees by the end of 2026. The first fuselage section, composed of approximately 300,000 parts and weighing two tons, is scheduled for delivery to the U.S. in autumn 2026. Rheinmetall signed a framework agreement with Northrop Grumman to manufacture at least 400 units over a 17–20-year period. The production line was prepared with equipment deliveries from the U.S. beginning in early 2025, totaling around 35 shipments of heavy machinery. A training agreement with AERO-Bildungs GmbH was launched in April 2024 to replicate Northrop Grumman’s training model and ensure local technical readiness. The first German F-35A aircraft, designated MG-01, began construction in the U.S. on December 6, 2024.
Germany’s acquisition of the F-35A is part of a broader European participation in the program, which includes contributions from multiple countries. According to Belgian Deputy Prime Minister Kris Peeters, approximately 30 percent of the aircraft’s components are manufactured in Europe. The United Kingdom contributes around 15 percent of each aircraft’s value, including the rear fuselage, pilot controls, ejection seats, and vertical lift fan systems for the F-35B. BAE Systems and Rolls-Royce are the main suppliers. Denmark’s Terma has produced more than 30,000 components, including pylons, composite panels, and electronics housings. Dutch firms such as Fokker Technologies and Thales Netherlands provide radar, power systems, and airframe elements. Woensdrecht Air Base in the Netherlands serves as one of three global hubs for F-35 spare parts, though ownership of those parts remains with the United States until they are installed. Finland’s Patria is establishing a production plant in Jämsä that will produce 400 fuselage sections and landing gear doors from 2026 to 2040. It will also maintain the F135 engine used by the F-35. Belgian firms have secured component work, with Asco producing titanium flaperon spars delivered to Fokker, and SABCA manufacturing horizontal tail sections and fuselage longerons.
Outside the EU, several partner countries contribute to the F-35 supply chain. In Japan, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries is responsible for the final assembly of aircraft for the Japan Air Self-Defense Force and manufactures structural parts, while Mitsubishi Electric produces radar and electronic components. In Australia, BAE Systems Australia supplies titanium bulkheads and vertical stabilizers. Quickstep Holdings manufactures carbon-fiber parts, including fairings and lower side skins. Canadian companies such as Magellan Aerospace and Héroux-Devtek contribute horizontal tails, landing gear elements, and engine parts. In Israel, Elbit Systems co-produces the helmet-mounted display system and cockpit interface elements with Collins Aerospace. These suppliers participate in a decentralized global manufacturing network involving more than 1,900 firms across multiple countries, enabling flexible logistics, shared sustainment, and redundancy in case of disruptions. All parts not yet installed on an aircraft remain U.S. government property and are distributed under an international pooled logistics system.
Chancellor Merz and French President Emmanuel Macron are expected to meet in Berlin later in July 2025 to discuss both the FCAS impasse and the trajectory of European defense cooperation. Simultaneously, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius is scheduled to meet U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth next week. It remains uncertain whether the proposed additional F-35 procurement will be finalized at that meeting. The German Ministry of Defense has declined to comment publicly. The German government has stated that the Bundeswehr intends to operate the F-35 using internal military personnel and the pooled international spare parts system, in order to maintain readiness even in the case of restricted U.S. system access. According to public statements, no European aircraft currently offers an equivalent capability for Germany’s nuclear mission. The decision to expand the F-35 order aligns with both operational requirements and broader strategic-industrial planning, amid ongoing efforts to reconcile short-term capability gaps with long-term European defense objectives.
