Germany receives first F-35 warplane at ceremony in US

German defense minister Boris Pistorius attended a ceremony in Washington to receive the first of nearly 35 F-35 stealth warplanes ordered by Germany four years ago. The aircraft, manufactured by US company Lockheed Martin, was presented at the company's production facility in Fort Worth, Texas. German defense minister Pistorius described the F-35A Lightning II as the world's most advanced combat aircraft, marking the beginning of a new era for the German Air Force due to its stealth capabilities, close integration with other platforms, and exceptional sensor technology.

Germany had ordered 35 of these jets in a deal signed in 2022, the year Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine, with the intention of replacing their aging fleet of Tornado aircraft. The F-35's low-observability coating and shape make it extremely difficult to detect on radar. The United States has employed these jets in combat against Iran, with more than 1,350 currently in operation worldwide.

The US administration, under former President Donald Trump, had long encouraged European countries to increase their defense spending to allow Washington to focus on other challenges, such as countering China. European nations, including Germany, have responded to these pressures, agreeing in 2025 to commit 5% of GDP to security-related spending by 2035.