Germany has chosen to assemble its F-35s in the USA rather than Europe, favoring Lockheed Martin’s Fort Worth site.

In May 2026, Germany will begin receiving its new F-35 Lightning II fighter jets, produced by Lockheed Martin. Contrary to expectations, the Luftwaffe has opted for assembly in the USA rather than Europe, marking an important decision in the European defense landscape.

F-35 Assembly Decision

Assembly Background and Details: The German Luftwaffe will integrate 35 F-35A aircraft, with first delivery scheduled for 2027. Production will take place in Fort Worth, Texas, instead of the European facility in Cameri, Italy. This decision is based on the use of major components from several European countries, including Germany, the UK and Italy, although final assembly will take place in the USA.

Technical and logistical reasons: The choice of Fort Worth can be attributed to several technical factors, such as the advanced expertise and state-of-the-art facilities available at Lockheed Martin, which are perhaps considered superior in terms of their ability to meet Luftwaffe specifications. The decision could also reflect logistical considerations or pre-existing arrangements between the US and German governments.

Advantages of assembling in the USA

Quality control and consistency: Assembly in the USA ensures direct quality control by Lockheed Martin, which has extensive expertise in F-35 production. This can potentially reduce the risks associated with manufacturing quality, and ensure greater consistency among the aircraft produced.

Technological integration: The Fort Worth site is at the cutting edge of aeronautical technology, offering innovations that may not be fully replicated elsewhere. This concentration of technology and expertise can result in aircraft better equipped to meet modern air warfare requirements.

Disadvantages of European non-production

Impact on the European defense industry: By choosing American assembly, Germany could be seen as abandoning the European defense industry, potentially undermining intra-European cooperation and technological development in the sector.

Logistical costs: Assembly in the USA could entail additional logistical costs for transporting aircraft to Germany. In addition, it may limit the possibility for German engineers and technicians to participate directly in final assembly, thus reducing the transfer of knowledge and skills.

Analysis of the Strategic Consequences of F-35 Assembly in America

Strengthening Transatlantic Links

Germany’s decision to assemble its F-35s in the USA rather than in Europe underlines a strategic move that could considerably strengthen military and political ties between Germany and the USA. Against a global backdrop of heightened tensions and geopolitical uncertainties, this choice could be interpreted as a more pronounced alignment of Berlin with Washington. This translates not only into increased defense cooperation, but also into an assertion of confidence in American technological and production capabilities.

This alignment can be seen as a measure to strengthen NATO, particularly in the context of efforts to counter emerging threats such as those posed by Russia and China. The integration of advanced weapons systems such as the F-35 into the Luftwaffe’s arsenal not only increases operational compatibility with US forces, but also with other allies using this aircraft, thus optimizing combined rapid response capabilities in the event of conflict.

Implications for the European Defense Unit

The decision may also provoke mixed reactions among Germany’s European partners, with some seeing it as a lack of support for the European defense industry, particularly Italy and its assembly capacity in Cameri. This choice may be seen as a step backwards for European defense integration, a project that seeks to strengthen the European Union’s strategic autonomy in the face of external dependencies.

This act could influence future collaboration and defense policies within the EU, where some member states may reconsider their positioning between transatlantic priorities and common European defense ambitions. For example, countries like France, which promotes a more autonomous European defense, could see this decision as a misalignment with European strategic sovereignty objectives.

Germany’s decision to have its F-35 assembled in the USA rather than in Europe is a strategic choice that reflects complex political, technological and logistical considerations. While this approach has several advantages, notably in terms of quality and technology, it also poses challenges and raises questions about the future of defense cooperation within Europe.

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