Production of stealth jets
Rheinmetall could soon build F35 parts in Brandenburg
06/16/2023, 4:01 p.m
Individual parts of the US F-35 stealth aircraft are to be built in Germany in the future – this is the intention of the armaments companies Rheinmetall, Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman. The only question is where. According to media reports, a location in Brandenburg is under discussion.
The armaments group Rheinmetall is considering building the planned new German site in Brandenburg. This is reported by the editors of rbb24 research and MDR research. Accordingly, the Brandenburg state government should endeavor to locate a factory for the German armaments group. However, Rheinmetall has not yet decided. Locations in North Rhine-Westphalia, Lower Saxony and Bremen are still in the running. The site is a factory for the construction of parts for the US F-35 fighter jet.
In February, Rheinmetall signed a letter of intent with Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman to build central fuselage sections for the stealth jet. The cooperation with the US companies would include the establishment of an integrated assembly line for F-35 fuselage center parts in Germany, explained Rheinmetall. According to Rheinmetall, the new fuselage center parts factory involves an investment of 100 million euros and 500 new jobs, the report said.
“Final Talks with Decision Makers”
Neither the Brandenburg Economics Ministry nor Rheinmetall wanted to comment on the possible choice of location. At the request of rbb and MDR, the company is said to have stated that “final talks with decision-makers still have to be held”. The research of the two editors refers to “people who are entrusted with the process.” The final decision on a location would therefore be made soon.
The F-35 is considered one of the most modern combat aircraft in the world. The manufacturer is Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman is one of the main partners and produces wings and sensor systems for the jet, among other things. There are currently 890 F-35s in service around the world.
For Germany, the machine is important for so-called nuclear participation. Bundeswehr machines would transport US nuclear bombs in the event of a crisis or war. So far, the German tornadoes have performed this task, but they will have to be replaced in the coming years. The Bundeswehr is to receive the first eight F-35A Lightning II in 2026.