Germany’s defense minister is preparing to visit Washington and Texas in September after an attempted Pentagon meeting fell through in May.
Chris Lunday
Internal planning notes do not identify the specific weapons programs Pistorius could raise in Washington. The notes mention intended discussions on relevant procurement projects, alongside the organization of defense purchasing.
The Texas stop would provide a more ceremonial element to the trip.
A rollout is the formal public unveiling of a newly assembled aircraft — not yet its delivery to the German military. Germany’s first F-35 entered final assembly at Lockheed Martin’s Fort Worth factory earlier this year and is due to make its first flight and be officially presented on Sept. 18, according to Lockheed Martin.
Germany ordered 35 of the stealth fighters to replace its aging Tornado fleet, including in the sensitive role of carrying U.S. nuclear bombs stationed in Germany in the event of war.
The first eight German aircraft will initially remain in the United States, where pilots will train at Ebbing Air National Guard Base in Arkansas. The first F-35s are expected to arrive at Germany’s Büchel air base in 2027.
Berlin has also been mulling an expansion of the fleet with another 15 aircraft, POLITICO previosuly reported. The planning notes, however, do not indicate whether that potential purchase will be among the projects discussed during Pistorius’ visit in September.
