The first F-35 fighter jet delivered by a U.S. company to Germany

According to a report by Reference News Network on September 25, the first F-35 fighter jet produced for Germany made its debut in a large hangar at Lockheed Martin's facility in Fort Worth, Texas, under the dazzling lights of black, red, and gold. German Defense Minister Pistorius specially arrived at the site on the 18th to personally receive the aircraft. He began his speech by saying, "Thank you for this stunning moment."

Less than four years after his predecessor Lambrecht signed the first letter of intent in December 2022, Lockheed Martin and the German Bundeswehr held a grand delivery ceremony for the first of a total of 35 F-35s. Pistorius described this moment as "a powerful embodiment of the transatlantic partnership." Despite numerous risks, Germany and the United States continue to draw closer in the field of armaments. This is the core message of Pistorius's several-day visit to the United States.

Germany ordered the F-35 against the backdrop of the Ukraine war, and this project is one of the first funded by Germany's €100 billion special defense fund. This fighter jet will replace the current Tornado aircraft, thereby ensuring Germany's capability to participate in NATO's nuclear sharing. The F-35 delivered on the 18th and the subsequent aircraft rolling off the production line in the following months will first be transported to Arkansas, where training for Bundeswehr pilots will commence on December 10. The first batch of aircraft is expected to achieve operational capability at the Büchel Air Base in Germany by the end of 2027.

Pistorius stated that the F-35 will not only secure Germany's future nuclear sharing status but will also "expand our ability to defend the country." This model is regarded as the most advanced fighter jet currently on the market. Its stealth capabilities are exceptional, allowing it to penetrate enemy airspace undetected by radar, destroy air defense systems, and seize air superiority. Pistorius said, "We demonstrate our determination to resist aggression." This statement was directed at Russia.

The procurement of the F-35 also marks an important step for Germany in terms of its armament policy. In June of this year, Chancellor Merz announced the withdrawal from the "Future Combat Air System" project, a joint development of a European stealth fighter with France and Spain. One of the key reasons for the project's failure was the ongoing disputes between Airbus and France's Dassault Group over development leadership. When Merz announced the termination of the "Future Combat Air System" project, many viewed it as a significant setback for Europe's goal of strengthening its armament autonomy.

While other European countries are promoting domestic military production and trying to reduce dependence on the U.S., Germany has chosen a different path. In addition to the F-35, Germany will also purchase U.S. Tomahawk cruise missiles and the THAAD launch system to establish its own conventional long-range strike capability. Germany continues to rely on the Patriot air defense system. Just this week, Pistorius also signed another agreement in Washington to deepen German-American military industrial cooperation.

German officials have deliberately downplayed potential risks. Following Donald Trump's brief suspension of intelligence sharing with Ukraine last spring, there has been a debate in Europe about the reliability of the U.S. as an ally. When asked whether the U.S. might remotely disable the Bundeswehr's F-35s through a "deadly switch," German government officials dismissed it as nonsense, stating that there has been no evidence to suggest that such technology exists to date. (Translated by Nie Litiao)