A new chapter in German-US defence cooperation is being written with plans to build a F-35 fuselage factory in Weeze, Germany.

Together with its American partners Northrop Grumman and Lockheed Martin, Rheinmetall, the Düsseldorf-based tech enterprise plans to build an “ultra-modern factory” at Weeze in the Kleve district of the German state of North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW) to produce fuselage sections for the F-35A Lightning II. The decision on where to place the factory followed a review of possible locations around Germany. 

Rheinmetall says the new plant is due to produce at least 400 F-35A fuselage sections for the air forces of Germany and other “friendly nations”. Rheinmetall will draw on its extensive experience in fabricating sophisticated components as well as in the aviation domain. Production is expected to commence in 2025. 

Last year, against the backdrop of the war in Ukraine, Germany announced it would buy 35 Lockheed fighter jets to replace its aging Tornadoes. 

“We’re proud that our long-standing partnership with Northrop Grumman and Lockheed Martin and our decades-long relationship with the Bundeswehr is resulting in a genuine transfer of know-how to Germany”, declares Rheinmetall chief executive Armin Papperger. “And we’re very pleased to be contributing to the future viability of Germany as a technology powerhouse, and especially NRW, our longstanding corporate home. Close to the state capital in Düsseldorf, we’re going to build a factory that sets standards Europe-wide. We’re very grateful for the political and administrative support we experienced in Weeze during our search for a location.”

Glenn Masukawa, vice president for Northrop Grumman’s F-35 program said it will replicate its automated and manufacturing technologies of the Integrated Assembly Line, which pairs advanced technology with data-driven analytics to manufacture advanced aircraft in Weeze. “Combined with Rheinmetall’s capabilities, our collaboration with Lockheed Martin to manufacture the centre fuselage is critical in bolstering global security. We look forward to the success of this newest F-35 facility.”

Mike Shoemaker, vice president of F-35 Customer Programs at Lockheed Martin said the swift site selection for the upcoming F-35 centre fuselage production facility marks an important milestone in the German F-35 programme. “Thisincrease in capacity helps meet the growing global demand that further enables the F-35 to stay ahead of evolving threats in the 21st century landscape,” he said “Lockheed Martin is committed to fostering industry partnerships and creating jobs in Germany. We appreciate Rheinmetall’s role as an agile and flexible partner and look forward to continued collaboration.”

The planned factory will be operated through Rheinmetall Aviation Services. It will feature 60,000 square metres of floorspace. Over 400 highly skilled men and women will crew the ultramodern assembly line. In addition, the plant will include logistics and warehouse facilities, research and test centres, classrooms, and quality control units.