Germany Defense, Politics, and Economy Dashboard: September 2026

In September 2026, Germany marked significant developments across defense, state politics, and macroeconomics. The German Air Force's first F-35A Lightning II jet completed its maiden flight in Fort Worth, Texas, advancing plans to replace the retiring Tornado fleet for NATO nuclear sharing duties. Simultaneously, the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party achieved a major state election performance in Saxony-Anhalt with nearly 44% of the vote, as candidate Ulrich Siegmund announced a 100-day platform focused on media reform, strict migration policies, and government restructuring. Meanwhile, economic data for July 2026 showed Germany's exports fell 0.8% due to a 9.5% slump in shipments to China, interrupting five consecutive months of growth.

// Background

Germany initially selected the F-35 in 2022 under an $8.4 billion plan to fulfill NATO nuclear sharing roles with the B61-12 weapon, with later proposals in 2025 seeking to expand the order to 50 jets. Politically, the AfD has built strong momentum in eastern states like Saxony-Anhalt. Economically, Germany relies heavily on exports, making its economy vulnerable to reduced demand from major global markets like China and the Eurozone.

// Key Developments

• Germany's first F-35A fighter jet completed its maiden flight in Fort Worth, Texas ahead of an official rollout scheduled for September 18, 2026.
• AfD candidate Ulrich Siegmund presented a 10-point 'Vision 2026' plan after the party won nearly 44% of the vote in Saxony-Anhalt state elections.
• German exports fell 0.8% month-on-month in July 2026 to 138.2 billion euros, ending a five-month growth streak due to a 9.5% drop in trade with China.
• German imports declined 5.7% in July 2026, widening the trade surplus to 21.3 billion euros.