Türkiye’s F-35 role replaced by Rheinmetall as Germany advances procurement

Türkiye was removed from the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter Program in September 2021 following its acquisition of the S-400 air defense system. Prior to its removal, 11 Turkish defense companies were involved in manufacturing various components for the F-35 Lightning II fighter jet.

Among these companies, Turk Aerospace Industries (TUSAS) was responsible for producing the aircraft’s center fuselage, which was supplied to Northrop Grumman. Following Türkiye’s exclusion, these production contracts ended. Rheinmetall has since taken over the role previously assigned to TUSAS, a transition that took several years and incurred additional costs.

Germany’s F-35A procurement

The German government has confirmed its commitment to acquiring the F-35A due to the absence of a modern alternative capable of carrying nuclear weapons.

Currently, there is no European-produced fifth-generation fighter jet that matches the capabilities of the F-35. Most European fighter jets are fourth-generation models with operational limitations. Additionally, apart from the aging Panavia Tornado, no European aircraft is certified to carry B61 nuclear bombs. Germany plans to retire its Tornado fleet by 2030, making the F-35A the only available fifth-generation option for this role.

First F-35A for Germany

On Dec. 6, 2024, production began in the United States for the first F-35A Lightning II designated for the German Air Force. The aircraft has been assigned the designation “MG-01.”