Germany gets its first F-35 as Europe’s fighter plans fall apart
Deliveries are starting for Germany's new F-35 fighter jets, but the debate continues in Berlin about future capabilities.
Germany received its first F-35 jet on Friday, but the collapse of Europe’s flagship next-generation fighter project, the Future Combat Air System (FCAS), is forcing Berlin to rethink its plans for the future of its combat-air fleet. The delivery of the F-35 is long-planned, but the end of FCAS has prompted calls in Berlin to expand the initial €10 billion order of 35 American jets.
German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius emphasized during the ceremony that the F-35 is currently "the only aircraft in the world" capable of fulfilling Germany's mission in NATO nuclear sharing. However, without FCAS, Berlin is left without an obvious European successor. The F-35 will remain in the United States for training, with German pilots and technicians preparing for operations before more jets are sent to Büchel in late 2027.
Full operational capability is expected by 2030, with Berlin currently operating around 80 Tornado fighter-bombers, some of which will migrate to the Eurofighter Typhoon.
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