Lockheed Martin delivered Germany’s first F-35A Lightning II fighter jet at its Fort Worth, Texas facility. German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius attended the ceremony to mark the start of a new era for the German Air Force.
Germany ordered 35 F-35A aircraft to replace its aging Tornado fleet. The defense contract is valued at approximately €10 billion.
The first eight jets will remain at Ebbing Air National Guard Base in Arkansas for pilot training. The aircraft will arrive in Germany starting in late 2027. The fleet is expected to reach full operational status by 2029.