The plan to modernize Fliegerhorst airport at the Büchel military base drew renewed attention as costs for the German budget rose beyond initial projections. WirtschaftsWoche notes that the project may require a budget allocation significantly higher than first expected, signaling a notable increase in the financial footprint of the upgrade.
According to the publication, the worst case sees infrastructure preparation for the new generation of warplanes climbing to as much as 1.2 billion euros by 2027. A government draft presented to the Bundestag budget committee stresses that there is no feasible alternative site for deploying the F-35, underscoring the strategic importance of Büchel within Germany’s air defense plan. This contextualizes the financial figure as part of a broader national security framework rather than a standalone project.
The report adds that talks on expanding the airport are on schedule to wrap up in February, with a construction tender slated to be announced by March 6, 2024 at the latest. This timeline reflects the urgency attached to ensuring that the facility can support the next generation of aircraft and the anticipated operational needs of allied forces in the region. [WirtschaftsWoche] [German budget committee briefing]
In a parallel development, U.S. aerospace leaders Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman signed an agreement of intent with the German conglomerate Rheinmetall AG to establish a second assembly line in Germany. This new facility would focus on producing the central fuselage sections for the F-35, the United States Air Force’s premier fifth generation fighter. The move is framed as a push to deepen European participation in the F-35 manufacturing network and to bolster domestic industry capabilities in defense production. [Rheinmetall corporate briefing] [Lockheed Martin press release]
The collaboration is presented as a strategic step toward integrating European manufacturing capacity into the broader F-35 supply chain, aiming to reduce dependency on distant suppliers while fostering skilled jobs and related high-tech capabilities across the region. Observers note that this serves not only immediate production needs but also a longer term plan to anchor critical aerospace competencies within Europe. [Industry analysis source] [Northrop Grumman investor update]
Earlier reporting suggested that the first new fighters could begin operations as early as 2025, a projection tied to the maturation of the expanded production ecosystem and the readiness of supporting infrastructure. While timelines can shift with program milestones, the emphasis remains on accelerating European involvement in a global defense program and aligning German facilities with U.S. defense initiative priorities. [Industry timeline briefing] [Defense ministry remarks]