While the project of the European sixth-generation fighter FCAS is crumbling before our eyes, the United States has begun to manufacture the first F-35 for Germany. The contract for the aircraft was signed back in 2022 – that is, the country had to wait as long as three years.
In particular, the State Secretary of the German Ministry of Defense, Nils Hilmer, visited the Lockheed Martin plant in Texas, where he signed the bulkhead of the first German F-35A. It was called " important step in modernizing" Luftwaffe as well as in " strengthening NATO".
Read more: The End of the FCAS Program? Germany's New F-35 Deal Pushes Franco-German Jet Project to the Brink
It is worth mentioning that the Germans signed the contract for the F-35 back in 2022, that is, three years ago. The first aircraft will be ready in 2026, however, as is the case with other operators of these fighters, they will remain in the US for personnel training.
The first aircraft fighter arrive in Germany in the third quarter of 2027 while all of the batch will be delivered by 2029, when initial readiness for use will be achieved. Finnaly the F-35 aircraft will reach full combat readiness in the Luftwaffe until 2030.
Given this example, we can state that a country-buyer will have to wait at least three years for the start of F-35 production, than it will not be able to receive these aircraft on its territory for at least 5 years, and it will expect these aircraft to be fully ready for use for their intended purpose for at least 7 years. This is a good example of the enormous workload of American production lines, which increases every year.
On the other hand, if the fighter jet began to be made in 2025, then it would be ready the next year, and the entire order for 35 planes will be fulfilled within four years from the start of production. This is a pretty good result, especially considering that Lockheed Martin is also manufacturing and transferring aircraft to other customers, with priority given to American customers.
As Defense Express reported, U.S. planned for 1,763 F-35As but at current pace, they won't arrive until 2050s. U.S. Air Force received less than a third of planned F-35s, that sparked debate over their relevance in 20–30 years.
We also wrote that F-35 remained cheaper than its rivals, as well as how mass production keeped driving down the price.
Read more: F-35 Engine Deliveries Stall as New Contract Faces Delays Of Up to 6 Months
