Poland is already receiving its initial F-35 fighter jets. However, these aircraft will soon be delivered to our western neighbor as well. Retired U.S. General Gary North asserts that the F-35 is essentially an “European aircraft.”
Business Insider Polska attended a meeting with Gary North, a retired U.S. Air Force general currently employed by Lockheed Martin. The meeting, which focused on the delivery of F-35 aircraft to the German armed forces, took place during the ILA air show in Berlin.
The First F-35 Will Arrive at a German Base Next Year
While Poland is already taking delivery of its aircraft, the German Luftwaffe will have to wait a bit longer. Gary North stated that an engine for Germany’s first F-35 was recently installed at a factory in Texas. Consequently, the final stages of production for this aircraft are imminent. The official unveiling of the first F-35 fighter for Germany is anticipated this fall, according to the Lockheed Martin representative. The first fighter jet is expected to reach the Büchel air force base next year.
The company added that nine F-35 aircraft for the German air force are currently under production at Lockheed Martin facilities.
Dalszy ciąg artykułu pod materiałem wideo Leciałam wojskowym potworem. Embraer KC-390 Może zasilić polskie wojsko
Germany will therefore receive its advanced fighter jets later than Poland. This is due to a straightforward reason: Warsaw placed its order for the aircraft much earlier than Berlin. Poland’s order was placed back in 2020, while Germany only decided to acquire them in late 2022. Germany opted to purchase 35 F-35 fighter jets for €8.4 billion. Poland’s contract is for 32 aircraft costing €4.6 billion.
“European Aircraft”
The F-35 is regarded as the pinnacle of American technological innovation. However, Gary North assured attendees at the meeting that it is also, to some extent, an “European aircraft.” He emphasized that over 25% of the value of each such aircraft originates from European facilities.
The aircraft are assembled in three factories – primarily in Fort Worth, Texas, but also in Japan and Cameri, Italy – the company manager pointed out. As company representatives added, Lockheed Martin collaborates with approximately 2,100 suppliers of components for the F-35 globally.
Gary North also reported that by 2035, European armed forces are expected to possess a total of over seven hundred F-35 fighter jets. The United Kingdom will operate the largest fleet, with 138 aircraft. Greece will have the smallest fleet, receiving 20 such planes.
The acquisition of the F-35 is one of the key projects for the German armed forces in recent years. The Bundeswehr had been underfunded for a long time, but this situation has recently begun to change. Berlin harbors significant ambitions in this regard. The Bundeswehr is projected to have at least 460,000 soldiers by 2035. However, not all plans are proceeding smoothly. For example, the project for a joint German-French 6th-generation fighter jet – intended to replace aircraft like the F-35 – did not materialize.
During this period, F-35 fighter jets were showcased to Poles. The most advanced acquisitions for the Polish Air Force appeared over Polish cities. Their initial aerial “stopovers” included Gdańsk, followed by Warsaw, Krakow, and Łódź.
See: F-35s Fly Over Poland. “The Most Modern Acquisition of the Polish Air Force”
Dziękujemy, że przeczytałaś/eś nasz artykuł do końca. Bądź na bieżąco! Obserwuj nas w Google.