German armaments group Rheinmetall wants to build a factory at Weeze airport in western North Rhine-Westphalia for its share in building the F-35 fighter. The Düsseldorf-based company announced a corresponding location decision on Tuesday. Rheinmetall will produce airframe parts for at least 400 F-35A Lightning II aircraft.
Germany ordered 35 of these fighters for its air force to replace the old Tornado. According to Rheinmetall, other customers are “friendly nations” of Germany.
US companies Northrop Grumman and Lockheed Martin are responsible for other parts of the jet. One is proud of the “real transfer of know-how to Germany”, says Rheinmetall boss Armin Papperger. Production is expected to start in 2025. The plant is in a commercial area next to the current airport. Lower Saxony and Brandenburg also had hopes of getting the contract when looking for a venue, but didn’t get the chance.
According to information, the Rheinmetall factory will have almost 60 thousand square meters, and around 400 employees will work there. Lockheed Martin manager Mike Shoemaker called the quick site selection for the assembly line an “important milestone in the German F-35 program”. Manufacturing will help “meet growing global demand and keep the F-35 one step ahead of future threats in the 21st century.”