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German Defense Minister Pistorius receives first F-35 in Texas, heralds new era for air force
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German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius (SPD) accepted the first F-35A stealth fighter jet for the German Air Force at a handover ceremony in Fort Worth, Texas, on September 19, 2026. Pistorius described the event as a 'new era for the air force,' citing the F-35's stealth capabilities as making it 'the world's most modern combat aircraft.' Lockheed Martin called the delivery a 'milestone for Germany' and NATO. Pistorius justified the rearmament by citing the growing threat from Russia, stating 'Russia is testing our borders' and that 'Germany has heard the wake-up call.' He dismissed concerns about dependency on the US, calling dependencies 'mutual' and expressing trust in the Trump administration. The first eight F-35s will remain in the US for training German pilots and technicians, with the first aircraft expected to be stationed at Büchel Air Base in Germany from 2027. Germany ordered 35 F-35s in 2022 for approximately €10 billion from the Bundeswehr special fund to replace the aging Tornado fleet, which Pistorius said was essential for maintaining nuclear sharing. The article also notes that the US government used F-35s in the Iran war starting February 2026, and that over 1,350 F-35s are in service worldwide. Separately, Pistorius signed a defense agreement with US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who is reportedly reviewing plans to withdraw up to 40,000 US troops from Europe.
Source report
Defense Minister Pistorius travels personally to the USA to accept delivery of the stealth jets, which are intended to replace the Bundeswehr's Tornado aircraft.
September 19, 2026 — 10:09 AM
Defense Minister Boris Pistorius (SPD) speaks at the handover ceremony in front of the F-35A fighter jet. Photo: Kay Nietfeld/dpa
afp — German Federal Defense Minister Boris Pistorius (SPD) has received the first F-35 type fighter jet for the German Air Force in the US state of Texas. Speaking at the handover ceremony in Fort Worth on Friday, Pistorius described it as a "new era for the air force." The defense contractor Lockheed Martin stated that this was a "milestone for Germany" as well as for NATO as a whole.
The F-35 is "the world's most modern combat aircraft," among other reasons due to its stealth capabilities, said Pistorius. Due to their special shape and external coating, the aircraft are difficult to detect by enemy radar.
In Fort Worth, Pistorius also justified the rearmament with the growing threat from Russia, including through drones. "Russia is testing our borders," he said in his speech. "Germany has heard the wake-up call." The federal government is therefore strengthening its defense and deterrence.
In Germany from 2027
The Defense Minister once again dismissed concerns that purchasing the F-35 would make Germany dependent on the USA. The dependencies were "mutual," Pistorius told journalists in Fort Worth, referring to the numerous fighter jet orders from Europe. He trusted the US administration under Donald Trump not to question the project.
The first eight F-35 fighter jets for the German Air Force will initially remain in the United States, where German pilots and technicians will be trained on them. From 2027, the first aircraft are scheduled to be stationed at Büchel Air Base in the Eifel region of Rhineland-Palatinate.
Germany ordered a total of 35 F-35 aircraft at the end of 2022 to replace the aging Tornado fleet. The arms deal amounts to approximately ten billion euros, which come from the special fund for the Bundeswehr.
"The Tornado has really aged considerably," Pistorius said in Fort Worth. "If we mean it seriously about maintaining nuclear sharing, especially in times like these, then the decision to procure the F-35 was the only right one."
Combat-Proven Jet
According to its own statements, the US government used the jets in the Iran war, which began at the end of February. According to Lockheed Martin, more than 1,350 of these combat aircraft are currently in service worldwide.
At the start of his trip, Pistorius signed a defense agreement with US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth near Washington on Tuesday. Discussions at the Pentagon also concerned US plans for troop withdrawals in Europe. NBC reported on Friday that Hegseth was reviewing the withdrawal of 25,000 soldiers. Another scenario out of a total of four even foresaw 40,000 fewer forces in Europe.
According to the report, Hegseth intends to present a recommendation to US President Donald Trump by November 6. The Pentagon had already announced in the spring the withdrawal of 5,000 US soldiers from Germany. Most recently, around 36,000 US soldiers were stationed in the Federal Republic.
Source
taz.de - taz.deWestern