Germany’s first F-35 leaves final assembly as Luftwaffe eyes 15 more
The German Luftwaffe’s first F-35A (MG-01) is rolling off the assembly line and is expected to be delivered to Ebbing AFB in September for a year of training. At the same time, Germany is mulling more F-35A purchases.
First German F-35A moved to Aircraft Final Finishes
Yesterday, Lockheed Martin posted, “Another milestone for Germany’s first F-35. Following final assembly, the aircraft moved to Aircraft Final Finishes, bringing it one step closer to supporting the Luftwaffe and Germany’s next generation of air power.”
This builds on earlier reporting in March 2026, when Lockheed reported that the first German F-35A was progressing to final assembly as it moved through the “mile-long” production line at Fort Worth, Texas. That aircraft is designated MG-01.
Another milestone for Germany’s first F-35. 🇩🇪
— Lockheed Martin Europe (@LMEuropeNews) August 17, 2026
Following final assembly, the aircraft moved to Aircraft Final Finishes, bringing it one step closer to supporting the Luftwaffe and Germany’s next generation of air power. ✈️ pic.twitter.com/Py2Yv6LZgu
At the time, Lockheed reported, “The airframe entered final assembly with its weight on wheels for the first time and its four major components – the wing and the forward, centre and aft fuselage – freshly mated.”
The first jets are expected at Büchel Air Base in western Germany by the end of 2027 after more than a year of training in the United States.
German F-35A training and Tornado retirement
The first eight German F-35s will be delivered to Ebbing Air Force Base in Arkansas for training. Manufacturing of the basic structural components began at the end of 2024, and all eight are in various stages of assembly.
The first German F-35A pilots have been selected, and these are initially being pulled from experienced Tornado and Eurofighter pilot pools. The German Luftwaffe plans to start training young pilots on the F-35A directly from basic training by around 2029.
Germany’s remaining Tornados are expected to retire by 2030 after the initial batch of 35 F-35As have been delivered.
Germany’s Flugrevue news outlet reported in March, “Initial test and acceptance flights for Germany’s new fighter jet crown jewel are planned for the second half of this year.”
Perhaps the strongest indication that Germany will purchase more F-35s came in July 2026 when Luftwaffe chief Lt. Gen. Holger Neumann told POLITICO, “There are ideas within the Luftwaffe to procure more F-35s… The decision, of course, lies with the Ministry of Defence. And there is no decision yet.”
Neumann also noted that the Luftwaffe is purchasing another Eurofighter tranche with deliveries expected between 2031 and 2034. However, he says there will be no more 4th-generation fighter jet purchases after that.
Luftwaffe considering purchasing at least 15 more F-35As
Germany currently has 35 F-35As in its programme of record, but it may be moving to expand that significantly. Expanding the F-35 order has become more likely following the collapse of the 6th-generation FCAS programme with France (and Spain).
Germany announced its decision to purchase the F-35A to partially replace the Panavia Tornado in March 2022. Germany reconsiders its operations, which include joining GCAP and building a new jet with Sweden and/or Spain. Germany may order more F-35s partly as a stopgap.
European F-35s are variously assembled in Europe at Lockheed’s Final Assembly and Check-out Facility in Taranto, Italy, and at the primary facility in Fort Worth.
Polish F-35s and Italian F-35s are assembled at Taranto, while British F-35Bs are assembled in Fort Worth.
