Lockheed Martin rolls out Germany's first of 35 F-35A stealth fighters, with domestic arrivals due in 2027 and full capability by 2029

Lockheed Martin rolled out Germany’s first F-35A, the initial aircraft in a planned fleet of 35 that will replace Tornados in the nuclear-sharing mission and strengthen conventional air operations. Early jets will support training in the United States before arrivals in Germany begin in 2027, with full operational capability targeted for 2029. The milestone advances Luftwaffe modernization while requiring new basing, security, maintenance and weapons infrastructure before the fleet can assume continuous duties within German and NATO force structures after demanding operational certification.