24 March, 2025 F-35A Lightning II assembly. August 2020. Photo credits: Danish Ministry of Defense
German defense manufacturer Rheinmetall has started assembling equipment for the production of center fuselage sections for F-35A Lightning II fighter jets, the company announced in a social media post.
According to the company, production is set to launch in July 2025
Since January, heavy cargo shipments from the United States have been arriving at the AERO-Bildungs GmbH plant near Weeze Airport, delivering the necessary equipment.
In 2023, Northrop Grumman awarded Rheinmetall a contract to manufacture more than 400 center fuselage sections.
In Weeze, Rheinmetall will in future manufacture at least 400 center fuselage sections for the world’s most advanced fighter jet, the F-35.
Production is scheduled to begin in July 2025. Since January, heavy haulage transports from the USA have been arriving at the new plant… pic.twitter.com/8mf3fSIyrZ
— Rheinmetall (@RheinmetallAG) March 24, 2025
By July 2024, the company had already started training personnel for the new production line.
F-35A for Germany
The German government recently confirmed that it will proceed with its F-35A acquisition, citing the lack of modern alternatives for the nuclear strike role.
Currently, there are no direct alternatives to the American F-35 fighter jet.
Most of the proposals produced in Europe are fourth-generation aircraft with significantly limited functionality.
F-35A fighter jet. Photo credits: Lockheed MartinF-35A fighter jet. Photo credits: Lockheed Martin
Currently, no European-built fighter jet is certified to carry B61 nuclear bombs, except the aging Panavia Tornado, which Germany plans to retire by 2030. The F-35A is the only fifth-generation aircraft available to fulfill this mission.
Militarnyi also reported that on December 6, 2024, the construction of the first fifth-generation F-35A Lightning II fighter jet for the German Air Force began in the United States.
The first F-35A multi-role fighter for Germany was designated MG-01.