German company Rheinmetall has officially inaugurated its new aerospace manufacturing plant in the town of Weeze, located in the federal state of North Rhine-Westphalia, where center fuselage sections for the F-35A Lightning II stealth fighter jets will be produced. The facility—one of the most advanced of its kind in Europe—was built in less than a year and a half and marks a new chapter in transatlantic defense cooperation.
During a visit to the factory, the state’s Minister-President, Hendrik Wüst, praised the work of the employees and highlighted the plant’s strategic importance: “You can be proud of the work you are doing here. With every part that leaves this factory, you defend our values, our free democracy, and our security in Europe,” he stated.
Armin Papperger, CEO of Rheinmetall, celebrated the milestone as “a tangible sign of a turning point” and expressed his gratitude for the trust placed in the project by U.S. partners, including Northrop Grumman and Lockheed Martin. These companies, together with Rheinmetall, signed an agreement in 2023 to develop the plant as part of Germany’s defense modernization efforts.
The Facility
The Weeze plant will have the capacity to produce up to 36 fuselage sections per year, with a goal of delivering at least 400 units. These will be destined not only for the 35 F-35As acquired by the Luftwaffe (German Air Force), but also for allied nations. Production is set to formally begin in July 2025, in accordance with Rheinmetall’s schedule.
This represents a double win for Germany—not only will it receive fifth-generation stealth fighters to replace the aging Panavia Tornado fleet (a European-designed aircraft produced between 1974 and 1998), but the new plant will also create 400 jobs in the Düsseldorf region.
Stephen O’Bryan, President of Northrop Grumman International, also took part in the ceremony and emphasized the importance of the project as a symbol of transatlantic industrial cooperation.
The new facility not only reinforces Germany’s commitment to the F-35 program—despite recent doubts in Europe regarding the reliability of the U.S. aircraft—but also strengthens Rheinmetall’s role as a key player in the European aerospace defense industry.
The project is part of a broader strategy by Berlin to renew and reinforce its military capabilities amid growing international tensions, focusing on cutting-edge technology and strategic alliances within the NATO framework.
Images for illustrative purposes only.
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