WORLD & DEFENCE — Germany's first F-35A Lightning II fighter jet has entered the final finishing stage of production at Lockheed Martin's facility in Fort Worth, Texas, marking a major milestone in Berlin's plan to modernise the Luftwaffe.
The aircraft, designated MG-01, has moved beyond final assembly and into the Aircraft Final Finishes phase. The milestone brings Germany's first F-35A closer to ground testing, flight evaluation and eventual delivery to the German Air Force.
Germany has ordered 35 F-35A aircraft as part of a major effort to replace its ageing Tornado fleet and strengthen its air capabilities within NATO.
Germany's First F-35A Reaches a Major Milestone
The first German F-35A entered final assembly earlier in 2026 after its major fuselage and wing sections were brought together.
It has now progressed into the Aircraft Final Finishes stage, where the aircraft receives its final external treatment and specialised low-observable coating before moving toward testing.
This stage is an important step because the aircraft must undergo extensive checks before it can be accepted by Germany.
The F-35A Is a Fifth-Generation Fighter
The F-35A Lightning II is a fifth-generation multirole fighter designed around stealth, advanced sensors, data sharing and networked operations.
Rather than relying only on speed or conventional weapons capability, the aircraft is designed to collect and combine information from multiple sensors and share it with other forces.
This gives the aircraft an important role in modern air warfare, where information and situational awareness can be as important as raw aircraft performance.
Germany Ordered 35 F-35A Fighters
Germany selected the F-35A to replace part of the country's ageing Tornado fleet.
The German government approved the acquisition of 35 aircraft through the U.S. Foreign Military Sales programme.
The programme is expected to strengthen Germany's contribution to NATO's nuclear-sharing arrangements while also providing the Luftwaffe with a modern stealth aircraft.
The First Aircraft Will Train in the United States
Germany's first eight F-35A aircraft are expected to remain in the United States initially.
German pilots and maintenance personnel will receive training at Ebbing Air National Guard Base in Arkansas before the aircraft eventually move to Germany.
This approach allows German crews to gain experience with the aircraft and its systems before beginning full operations in Europe.
Germany Plans to Base the F-35 at Büchel
The F-35A will eventually operate from Büchel Air Base in western Germany.
The first German F-35 aircraft are expected to arrive at Büchel by the end of 2027 after the initial training period in the United States. 1
The arrival will represent a significant change for the Luftwaffe as the F-35 introduces stealth capabilities and a different operational architecture compared with the Tornado.
The F-35 Will Replace the Tornado
Germany's Panavia Tornado fleet has served the country for decades.
However, the aircraft is ageing and increasingly expensive and complicated to maintain.
The F-35A will take over important missions previously performed by the Tornado, including Germany's role in NATO's nuclear-sharing framework.
The remaining Tornado aircraft are expected to be retired around the end of the decade.
Germany Is Also Expanding Its Eurofighter Fleet
The F-35 programme is not Germany's only fighter modernisation effort.
Berlin is also investing in newer versions of the Eurofighter Typhoon.
Germany's first Tranche 4 Eurofighter made its maiden flight in July 2026 as part of Project Quadriga, which includes 38 aircraft intended to replace older Eurofighters. 3
The combination of F-35s and modernised Eurofighters will give Germany a broader mix of capabilities.
The F-35 Programme Comes as FCAS Faces Problems
Germany's F-35 acquisition is also taking place against the backdrop of uncertainty surrounding Europe's Future Combat Air System, or FCAS.
The programme was intended to develop a next-generation European combat aircraft involving Germany, France and Spain.
However, disagreements between Germany and France have created serious difficulties for the project. Recent reports said Berlin and Paris agreed to abandon the joint fighter project after failing to resolve months of deadlock.
That uncertainty makes Germany's F-35 programme even more important for its near-term fighter capability.
Why Stealth Matters
One of the F-35's defining characteristics is its low-observable design.
Stealth does not make an aircraft invisible, but it is intended to make the aircraft more difficult for opposing radar systems to detect and track.
This can give pilots more opportunities to detect threats and operate in heavily defended environments.
The aircraft's stealth characteristics are combined with advanced sensors and electronic systems to improve its overall combat effectiveness.
The Aircraft Is More Than a Fighter
The F-35 is designed to function as a sensor and information node as well as a combat aircraft.
Its systems can gather information from the surrounding battlespace and share data with other aircraft and military units.
This networked approach is increasingly important as modern militaries attempt to connect aircraft, ships, ground forces and other systems.
Germany's Defence Strategy Is Changing
Germany has significantly increased its focus on defence modernisation following Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Berlin has sought to strengthen its armed forces and improve its ability to contribute to NATO's collective defence.
The F-35 acquisition forms part of that broader transformation.
Modern aircraft, weapons, air-defence systems and communications infrastructure are all becoming increasingly important components of Germany's defence planning.
The F-35 Will Strengthen NATO Interoperability
Several NATO members already operate or have ordered F-35 aircraft.
Germany's participation will therefore allow it to operate alongside other F-35 users using a common aircraft platform and increasingly interconnected systems.
This can simplify aspects of joint training and operations while strengthening cooperation between allied air forces.
Production Is Still a Long Process
Reaching the final finishing stage does not mean Germany's first F-35 is ready for immediate combat service.
The aircraft must still undergo ground checks, flight testing, acceptance procedures and training before becoming operational.
The first German aircraft are expected to spend time in the United States supporting the training of German personnel before being transferred to Europe.
A Major Investment for Germany
The F-35 programme represents a major investment in Germany's military aviation capabilities.
Beyond purchasing the aircraft themselves, Germany must invest in infrastructure, maintenance, weapons, training, spare parts and other systems required to operate a modern fifth-generation fighter fleet.
The long-term cost and complexity of maintaining the aircraft will therefore extend well beyond the initial purchase.
What the F-35 Means for the Luftwaffe
For the German Air Force, the F-35 represents a major technological step forward.
The aircraft will provide capabilities that the ageing Tornado cannot offer and will complement Germany's Eurofighter fleet.
The combination could give Germany a more flexible fighter force capable of performing different missions across a modern NATO battlespace.
Our Perspective
Calling the F-35 simply the "world's most advanced fighter" oversimplifies a complicated comparison. Different aircraft are designed for different missions, and military effectiveness depends on pilots, weapons, sensors, training, logistics and the wider network supporting the aircraft.
What is clear is that Germany's first F-35A reaching the final finishing stage represents a significant milestone for the Luftwaffe.
The real importance of the programme is not the aircraft's reputation alone, but Germany's ability to integrate the F-35 into a larger force built around modern Eurofighters, NATO cooperation, trained personnel and reliable infrastructure.
Conclusion
Germany's first F-35A Lightning II has entered the Aircraft Final Finishes stage in the United States, bringing the aircraft closer to testing and eventual delivery to the German Air Force.
The milestone forms part of Germany's wider effort to replace its ageing Tornado fleet and strengthen its air capabilities.
The first German F-35s are expected to undergo training activities in the United States before eventually moving to Büchel Air Base in Germany.
At the same time, Berlin is continuing to invest in the Eurofighter while navigating uncertainty surrounding Europe's next-generation FCAS fighter programme.
Germany's first F-35 is therefore more than a new aircraft entering production. It is a visible sign of the country's broader shift toward a modern, networked and increasingly capable air force.
