Germany gets its first F-35 as Europe’s fighter plans fall apart

Germany secured its inaugural F-35 jet on Friday, yet the disintegration of Europe's principal next-generation fighter program is compelling Berlin to reconsider its future aircraft strategy. Defense Minister Boris Pistorius attended the ceremony at the Lockheed Martin factory in Texas. The delivery of the F-35 jet, initially scheduled, has sparked discussions in Berlin about supplementing the initial €10 billion order of 35 American jets following the termination of the Franco-German-Spanish Future Combat Air System (FCAS) project this year.

The Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II was intended to address Germany's immediate challenge: replacing its outdated Tornado fighter-bombers and sustaining its NATO nuclear sharing obligations while Europe developed its own advanced fighter. However, without FCAS, Berlin lacks a clear European successor. Pistorius emphasized during the handover that the F-35 is currently "the only aircraft in the world" suited for Germany's nuclear-sharing mission.

The first F-35s will initially remain in the U.S. for training, with German pilots and technicians preparing for operations before additional jets are dispatched to Büchel in late 2027. Full operational capability is projected by 2030. Currently, Germany operates approximately 80 Tornado fighter-bombers, with some missions transitioning to the Eurofighter Typhoon.

The FCAS collapse has widened a broader gap in Germany's combat-air fleet plans. At the Berlin Air Show in June, Pistorius indicated that Berlin is contemplating whether to purchase additional F-35s as a transitional option after FCAS's failure, or to explore an international sixth-generation program or a national effort spearheaded by Airbus.

General Holger Neumann, Chief of the German Air Force, suggested at the show that he has instructed the defense ministry to procure "fifth-gen-plus platforms beyond 2035." One potential solution is for Germany to augment its F-35 fleet by acquiring 15 more jets. Marie-Christine von Hahn, Managing Director of Germany's aerospace and defense industry association BDLI, cautioned that such procurement should not divert policymakers from addressing Europe's broader aircraft development needs.

"In Germany in particular, we must continue to be capable of developing, building, maintaining and upgrading combat aircraft ourselves," she stressed. FCAS troubles The FCAS fighter component unraveled due to conflicts over control between French and German companies involved in the project, as well as disagreements on the jet's role.

Paris advocated for a lighter aircraft capable of landing on its aircraft carrier, while Berlin sought a heavier jet for air-superiority missions. Germany is also exploring the UK-Italian-Japanese Global Combat Air Programme, but existing members are hesitant to expand their number. Additionally, there's the anticipated U.S.-led sixth-generation F-47, developed by Boeing, slated for deployment by the end of the decade.

However, U.S. President Donald Trump has indicated that the U.S. will provide less capable versions to its allies, potentially diminishing the appeal of these aircraft. While a sixth-generation fighter remains a long-term objective, the immediate concern for Germany's defense industry is the extent of domestic companies' involvement in the F-35's maintenance and support structure.

Lockheed Martin asserts that about a quarter of the jet's components are manufactured in Europe, with Rheinmetall producing fuselage parts for foreign customers. This underscores the significance of Europe, Canada, and the U.S.'s defense-industrial relationships, currently being tested by uncertainties surrounding Washington's commitment to European defense under Trump.

Pistorius stressed that these interdependencies still matter to German defense, adding that "whenever we talk about independence, we must also recognize that there are mutual dependencies that keep allies close and allow them to benefit from one another."