Germany’s first F-35A fighter jet — assembled in Fort Worth — was unveiled Friday, marking a milestone in European defensive capabilities as aircraft production will ramp up through partnerships with overseas manufacturers.
The stealth aircraft variant — one of 35 purchased for $8.4 billion by the German government — attracted a large group of the country’s military, government and media representatives to Texas for a viewing at Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co. headquarters.
OJ Sanchez, president of Lockheed Martin Aeronautics, said it was an exciting day since the aircraft program will grow to keep partners in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and other allied nations safer.
“The value is that as we build the F-35 family … the ability to connect with one another, to train together, to share with common standards, that value will help other nations be safer,” Sanchez said. “Every country is buying into a family, not just a single airplane.”
Sanchez said that Lockheed Martin is advancing F-35 production for 20 nations, including 13 in Europe, with help from German partners that will play a vital role in meeting aircraft demand worldwide. The company continues to explore opportunities to create jobs in fifth-generation aircraft manufacturing, sustainment, research, development and training.
“By the end of the decade, there will be over 700 allied and partnered nation aircraft with the F-35,” Sanchez said. “That’s incredible. It’s a capability beyond any one nation. That’s what’s so exciting.”
OJ Sanchez, president of Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., speaks to reporters after the country’s first F-35A was unveiled Sept. 18, 2026. (Eric E. Garcia | Fort Worth Report)
Sanchez said the F-35 jet includes advanced sensors, payload and range to provide the Luftwaffe, the country’s aerial-warfare branch, with the world’s most capable fighter aircraft and a platform that will continuously integrate new technologies and capabilities.
Germany’s first eight aircraft are heading to Ebbing Air National Guard Base in Arkansas, where pilot training will begin this fall. Those planes — expected to replace the Tornado aircraft — will arrive in Germany by late 2027, officials said.
Boris Pistorius, German minister of defense, said the arrival of the country’s F-35A jet marks “the beginning of a new era for the German Air Force.”
He said the F-35A is characterized by its stealth capabilities, integration with other platforms and powerful sensor technology.
Boris Pistorius, German minister of defense, said the arrival of the country’s F-35A jet marks “the beginning of a new era for the German Air Force.” (Eric E. Garcia | Fort Worth Report)
“Together with 19 other nations, we are putting transatlantic cooperation into practice, with common standards, technology and procedures,” Pistorius said. “It is precisely this interoperability that opens up numerous opportunities for training, exercises and operations, making us stronger together.”
He said the new F-35A jets will aid Germany and NATO at a time when Russia is militarizing space, expanding in the Arctic and maintaining a large submarine fleet.
“Russia is expanding its global influence. Putin combines military strength with hybrid warfare,” Pistorius said, referring to Russia President Vladimir Putin.
Lt. Gen. Holger Neumann, chief of the German Air Force, saluted the new F-35A airplane before he spoke.
“With the F-35, the German Air and Space Force is receiving a modern, proven and highly capable fifth-generation fighter jet,” Neumann said. “It will not only bring significant changes in our air and space force but will also influence how we think, command and fight. The F-35 will allow us to become part of the larger, international F-35 community. That strengthens Germany — and at the same time, NATO.”
The F-35 aircraft, assembled at Air Force Plant No. 4 at Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth, provides a weighty local economic impact of about $20.5 billion, which includes 19,000 related jobs and $2.8 billion from 895 suppliers.
Lt. Gen. Holger Neumann, chief of the German Air Force, said the country’s new F-35A fleet will strengthen Germany and other European countries. (Eric E. Garcia | Fort Worth Report)
Frank St. John, chief operating officer for Lockheed Martin Corp., said about 25% of each F-35 jet is produced in Europe by partners that build major components.
“From the forward fuselage and engines in Finland, to the aft fuselage in the United Kingdom, to the center fuselage in Germany, and the wings and final (fuselage) assembly in Italy,” St. John said. “In fact, German industry has been a part of this program since the inception in 2001 and that role continues to grow.”
In 2023, Lockheed Martin signed a memorandum of understanding to explore the F-35 industrial maintenance structure in Germany.
“That effort, known as Team Germany, is one example of how we’re building the capacity to sustain this fleet over the long term,” St. John said. “And that matters because the work does not end when the aircraft is delivered.”
St. John said 20 nations have chosen the F-35. By the 2030s, more than 700 F-35s will be operating in Europe.
“That scale creates an operational advantage, a shared foundation of technology, data and experience that allows our forces to train, operate and fight together more efficiently,” he said.
U.S. Rep. Craig Goldman, R-Fort Worth, said Germany’s involvement in the F-35 program is significant.
“Germany, you’ve come an amazing long way … not only yourself, being a unified country now, but of an amazing journey being allies and friends with (the) United States of America,” Goldman said. “We are all in at NATO together. We are friends, we are allies.
“What that means is you have our back, we have your back.”
Eric E. Garcia is senior business reporter at the Fort Worth Report. Contact him at eric.garcia@fortworthreport.org.
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