Lockheed Martin highlighted the production milestone in a social media statement after the aircraft left final assembly. The next stage covers Aircraft Final Finishes, including application of the aircraft’s exterior coating.
“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.”
Germany’s Defense Ministry said seven more Luftwaffe F-35As are currently being assembled at the Fort Worth plant. The first eight aircraft will initially be sent to Ebbing Air National Guard Base in Fort Smith, Arkansas, where they will support training for German personnel.
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. ✈️ pic.twitter.com/Py2Yv6LZgu
— Lockheed Martin Europe (@LMEuropeNews) August 17, 2026
The first German aircraft are scheduled to arrive at Fort Smith later this year. German personnel will join Polish and Finnish personnel already using the Arkansas facility for F-35 training.
Germany ordered 35 F-35A fighters through the U.S. Foreign Military Sales process to meet national and allied requirements. The intergovernmental Letter of Offer and Acceptance covering the procurement was approved on Dec. 14, 2022.
Under the current schedule, the first F-35As are expected to arrive at their permanent German base in Büchel in 2027. The aircraft will replace the Panavia Tornado IDS in Germany’s role under NATO’s Nuclear Sharing arrangement.
The F-35A fleet will be configured to carry and employ U.S.-supplied B61 nuclear bombs for that mission. The transition will shift Germany’s NATO nuclear role from the aging Tornado IDS fleet to the F-35A while introducing a new generation of combat aircraft into Luftwaffe service.
