Rheinmetall Launches Major Production of F-35 Fuselage Components in Germany
In the northern German city of Wesse, Rheinmetall, a prominent defense contractor, has taken a significant step in bolstering its military manufacturing capabilities by establishing a state-of-the-art plant dedicated to producing fuselage components for the United States' fifth-generation multi-role fighter jet, the F-35. This strategically important project, with an investment totaling approximately €200 million, marks a new milestone in German-American defense cooperation. According to CEO Armin Papperger, the plant will commence mass production within just a few days, with the initial focus on producing the central fuselage sections, which will later be shipped to the United States for final assembly of the aircraft. Rheinmetall supplies these complex modules to Northrop Grumman, the American aerospace and defense giant, which has previously manufactured the key fuselage sections totaling around 300,000 individual parts in the US. The German initiative aligns with Germany’s plans to acquire 35 new F-35 fighters to replace the aging Tornado aircraft in the German armed forces. The Wesse plant is designed to produce up to 30 fuselage sections annually, with potential for expansion up to 36 units per year, ensuring a steady supply of cutting-edge aircraft components. The manufacturing of these heavy, two-ton sections involves intricate processes that include extensive pre-production preparations and multiple stages of complex assembly. The first fuselage section is scheduled to be completed and shipped to the US by fall 2026, where the final aircraft assembly will take place, integrating all parts into a radar-invisible fighter jet. Currently, 200 skilled workers are employed at the plant, with staffing expected to double to over 400 by 2026. Rheinmetall has signed a framework agreement to supply up to 400 fuselage sections over the next 17 to 20 years, emphasizing the scale and longevity of this strategic partnership. Earlier reports indicated that Latvia is holding negotiations with Rheinmetall for local defense manufacturing, and that the Dutch Ministry of Defense plans to fund the production of 20 Ermine (Hermelin) armored vehicles for Ukraine, produced by Rheinmetall.