Germany receives first F-35A, marking Luftwaffe's entry into fifth-generation fighter era

Germany has taken delivery of its first F-35A Lightning II from Lockheed Martin, a milestone in the Luftwaffe's modernization. The aircraft is part of a larger procurement to replace aging Tornado and Eurofighter fleets, with nuclear-sharing roles in mind. This delivery signals a significant capability upgrade for NATO's European pillar, though full operational capability will take years.