Germany receives its first F-35 fighter jet from the United States
Lockheed Martin has delivered Germany’s first F-35A in Fort Worth, Texas. Germany ordered 35 aircraft to replace its Tornado fleet, with all deliveries scheduled by 2029.
By DoomRadar · Published on DoomRadar . Updated .
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The story at a glanceReported details
What happened
The first German-ordered F-35A was delivered by Lockheed Martin at its facility in Fort Worth, Texas. [1][3]
References for this detail (2)
- „Modernstes Kampfflugzeug": Deutschland bekommt F-35weser-kurier.de · Recorded source date: Sep 18, 2026, 4:01 AM UTC
- „Modernstes Kampfflugzeug": Deutschland bekommt 35 US-Jets vom Typ F-35tagesspiegel.de · Recorded source date: Sep 18, 2026, 5:46 AM UTC
Germany has ordered 35 aircraft, and delivery of the final aircraft is scheduled for 2029. [3]
References for this detail (1)
- „Modernstes Kampfflugzeug": Deutschland bekommt 35 US-Jets vom Typ F-35tagesspiegel.de · Recorded source date: Sep 18, 2026, 5:46 AM UTC
The F-35 is intended to replace Germany’s Tornado fleet and supports roles including air-defence suppression and precision strikes, according to Defence Minister Boris Pistorius. [2][3]
References for this detail (2)
- Bundeswehr bekommt ersten F-35-Tarnkappenfliegerspiegel.de · Recorded source date: Sep 18, 2026, 5:47 AM UTC
- „Modernstes Kampfflugzeug": Deutschland bekommt 35 US-Jets vom Typ F-35tagesspiegel.de · Recorded source date: Sep 18, 2026, 5:46 AM UTC
Germany is acquiring the aircraft for its role in NATO’s nuclear-sharing arrangement, with the jets able to carry nuclear weapons. [1][3]
References for this detail (2)
- „Modernstes Kampfflugzeug": Deutschland bekommt F-35weser-kurier.de · Recorded source date: Sep 18, 2026, 4:01 AM UTC
- „Modernstes Kampfflugzeug": Deutschland bekommt 35 US-Jets vom Typ F-35tagesspiegel.de · Recorded source date: Sep 18, 2026, 5:46 AM UTC
Rheinmetall is involved in production by building fuselage centre sections in Germany. [1][3]
References for this detail (2)
- „Modernstes Kampfflugzeug": Deutschland bekommt F-35weser-kurier.de · Recorded source date: Sep 18, 2026, 4:01 AM UTC
- „Modernstes Kampfflugzeug": Deutschland bekommt 35 US-Jets vom Typ F-35tagesspiegel.de · Recorded source date: Sep 18, 2026, 5:46 AM UTC
Context from the sources
The F-35 is used or ordered by 19 countries, according to the manufacturer; the excerpts name the United Kingdom, Israel, the Netherlands and Switzerland among them. [2][1]
Explore the sources and reporting timeline
3 source links · 3 domains
These counts describe the references, not independent confirmations. Different outlets can repeat the same original report.
Source timeline
Oldest to newest among the available source dates, not a chronology of the incident. Article publication dates come from the source; other recorded dates may reflect when a link was found.
- [1] „Modernstes Kampfflugzeug": Deutschland bekommt F-35weser-kurier.deReferenced for: detail 1, detail 4, detail 5
- [3] „Modernstes Kampfflugzeug": Deutschland bekommt 35 US-Jets vom Typ F-35tagesspiegel.deReferenced for: detail 1, detail 2, detail 3, detail 4, detail 5
- [2] Bundeswehr bekommt ersten F-35-Tarnkappenfliegerspiegel.deReferenced for: detail 3
What this could mean for you
The delivery begins Germany’s transition from the Tornado to a newer aircraft platform, while the broader fleet capability will develop progressively as additional aircraft arrive through 2029.
Because the aircraft is assigned a nuclear-sharing role, the programme reinforces Germany’s contribution to NATO deterrence rather than creating an immediate change to civilian services.
Possible consequences, not a forecast. Their relevance depends on your location and the conditions above.
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Still unclear
The excerpts do not specify when the first aircraft will enter operational service in Germany.
The excerpts do not state the cost of the programme or identify any immediate change to Germany’s defence posture.
Market implications
Market impact
Sources (3)
References for the reported details. Separate links do not necessarily mean independent confirmation.
Available excerpt
Tarneigenschaften und digitale Vernetzung: Das US-Rüstungsunternehmen Lockheed Martin liefert im texanischen Fort Worth den ersten von Deutschland bestellten Kampfjet vom Typ F-35 aus. „Für die…A short excerpt from our source record; open the original for the full article.
Available excerpt
Bei Pistorius-Besuch in Texas Bundeswehr bekommt ersten F-35-Tarnkappenflieger Er ist nahezu unsichtbar und höchst gefährlich: Der Tarnkappenjet F-35 gilt als das modernste Kampfflugzeug der Welt.…A short excerpt from our source record; open the original for the full article.
Available excerpt
Für die Luftwaffe ist es ein großer Schritt: In den USA wird der erste Tarnkappenjet übergeben. Mit der Fähigkeit, Atombomben zu tragen, beteiligt sich Deutschland…A short excerpt from our source record; open the original for the full article.
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