In the future, the German armaments group Rheinmetall will be on board for the construction of the F-35 stealth bomber. With a symbolic groundbreaking ceremony, the company gave the starting signal for a 200 million euro factory, which is scheduled to go into operation at the beginning of 2025.
Up to 450 jobs are to be created to produce so-called center fuselage parts. Other components come from other companies. “We are creating a new nucleus in aerospace technology in North Rhine-Westphalia,” said company boss Armin Papperger. A further 1,500 jobs could be created at suppliers in the vicinity of the factory.
NRW Prime Minister Hendrik Wüst (CDU) emphasized the urgency of investing in military equipment so that the Bundeswehr is strong and can defend freedom and democracy with the best equipment. Rheinmetall’s location decision is also good news for NRW as an industrial location. “A state-of-the-art factory is being built here that will secure good jobs for decades to come.”
F-35: NATO’s nuclear deterrent concept
The F-35 is considered the most modern combat aircraft in the world and is also purchased for NATO’s nuclear deterrent concept, in which allies have access to US nuclear bombs. The aging tornado will be replaced.
In the Rheinmetall plant, components for at least 400 combat aircraft are to be built, of which Germany is buying 35 pieces for 8.3 billion euros. Other buyers are other NATO countries. It is not known what financial share Rheinmetall will receive from the federal order. The lion’s share is likely to go to the US companies Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman.
