Germany receives first F-35 jet from US as NATO boosts military spending

Published On 18 Sep 202618 Sep 2026.

Key points

• Germany ordered 35 F-35As in 2022, the year Russia introduced its invasion of Ukraine.
• European countries, including Germany, are ramping up military budgets consequently, agreeing in 2025 to Trump's demand to devote five percent of GDP to security-related spending by 2035.
• Lockheed Martin formally presented the aircraft to the German administration during a ceremony at its production facility in Fort Worth, Texas, attended by German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius.
• The Trump administration has long pressured Europe to spend more on defence, allowing Washington to focus on other challenges such as countering China.
• The delivery on Friday is part of Germany's effort to fulfil NATO nuclear-sharing duties and modernise its military after decades of relatively low defence spending.

As the country accelerates a major military buildup and increases defence spending against the backdrop of a broader push by European NATO members to strengthen their armed forces, germany has received its first F-35A Lightning II fighter jet.

In practice, the delivery on Friday is part of Germany's effort to fulfil NATO nuclear-sharing duties and modernise its military after decades of relatively low defence spending.

"This is the beginning of a new era for the German Air Force: the new F-35A fighter jet is the world's most advanced combat aircraft, " Pistorius remarked in an official note. "It is characterised by its stealth capabilities, close integration with other platforms, and exceptionally powerful sensor technology."

Germany ordered 35 F-35As in 2022, the year Russia introduced its invasion of Ukraine. The aircraft are intended to replace Germany's ageing Tornado fleet.

Meanwhile, the Trump administration has long pressured Europe to spend more on defence, allowing Washington to focus on other challenges such as countering China.

For now, germany receives first F-35 jet from US as NATO boosts military spending remains the part of the story worth watching, and further updates are likely as more details are confirmed.