US Air Force to Acquire Two Used Boeing 747-8s for Presidential Fleet Support

The United States Air Force has reached an agreement to purchase two commercial Boeing 747-8 Intercontinental aircraft to support the future presidential airlift fleet. According to reporting by Reuters, the service will pay approximately $400 million for the two jets, which are being acquired from the German carrier Lufthansa.

These aircraft will not serve as the actual “Air Force One” transports for the President. Instead, officials state they will be utilized to establish a dedicated training program and provide a critical source of spare parts for the delayed VC-25B program. The acquisition comes as the Air Force seeks to mitigate schedule risks and ensure long-term sustainment for the out-of-production jumbo jet.

Transaction Details and Aircraft Origins

According to the initial report by Mike Stone at Reuters, the deal involves two used airframes that have seen commercial service. While the Air Force has not officially confirmed the specific tail numbers, industry fleet data indicates the aircraft are likely D-ABYD and D-ABYG, both of which have been in service with Lufthansa for over a decade.

The timeline for delivery is expected to begin in early 2026. Reports suggest the first aircraft will arrive in January 2026, with the second following in the third quarter of that year. The $400 million price tag covers both airframes, a figure that reflects the high value of 747-8 components now that the production line has permanently closed.

Roles: Training and Sustainment

The Air Force intends to split the roles of the two aircraft to maximize their utility:

• Training Platform: One aircraft is expected to remain airworthy. It will serve as a dedicated trainer for pilots, flight engineers, and maintenance crews, allowing them to log hours without adding wear and tear to the pristine VC-25B airframes.
• Spare Parts Source: The second aircraft is likely to be stripped for parts. This “cannibalization” strategy secures a long-term supply of engines, avionics, and structural components that are increasingly difficult to source from the open market.

Strategic Context: Bridging the Gap

This acquisition is distinct from the ongoing VC-25B program, which involves two brand-new 747-8s currently being modified by Boeing in San Antonio, Texas. Those aircraft, originally built for the defunct Russian airline Transaero but never delivered, are known as “white tails” and have zero commercial flight hours.

In contrast, the ex-Lufthansa jets are intended to bridge a capability gap caused by delays in the VC-25B program. Originally scheduled for delivery in 2024, the new Air Force One aircraft are now estimated to arrive in mid-2028. The current fleet of VC-25As, based on the vintage 747-200, faces rising maintenance costs and lower availability, making the need for a robust support strategy urgent.

In a statement provided to press, an Air Force spokesperson clarified the necessity of the purchase:

“The Air Force is procuring two aircraft to support training and spares for the 747-8 fleet. Given the 747-8i is no longer in active production, and is a very different aircraft than the 747-200, it is important for the Air Force to establish an overall training and sustainment strategy for the future Air Force 747-8i fleet.”

— Ann Stefanek, Air Force Spokesperson

Boeing’s Position

Boeing, which ended production of the 747 in 2022, confirmed that these additional airframes are separate from the primary modification contract. In a statement referenced by Reuters, the manufacturer noted:

“Boeing continues to modify two 747-8i aircraft for the VC-25B program… The two aircraft mentioned [in this report] are additional aircraft to be used for training and spares.”

— Boeing Statement

AirPro News Analysis

Securing the Supply Chain
The decision to purchase a whole aircraft specifically for spare parts highlights a critical vulnerability in operating a fleet based on an out-of-production airframe. With the 747-8 supply chain drying up, the Air Force is effectively buying a “parts locker.” While $400 million may seem steep for used commercial jets, the cost of grounding the future Air Force One due to a missing component would be far higher politically and operationally. This move mirrors strategies used by commercial cargo carriers who buy retired passenger jets solely to harvest their engines and landing gear.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will the President fly on these used Lufthansa jets?
No. These aircraft are strictly for training crews and providing spare parts. The President will fly on the VC-25Bs, which are brand-new airframes currently undergoing modification.

Why not just buy new parts from Boeing?
Boeing closed the 747 production line in 2022. Many unique structural components and systems are no longer being manufactured, making the acquisition of existing airframes one of the few ways to guarantee a long-term supply of spares.

How much did the Air Force pay?
According to Reuters, the total acquisition cost for both aircraft is approximately $400 million.

Sources

• Reuters
• US News

Finland Unveils First F-35A Lightning II in Historic Rollout Ceremony

This article is based on an official press release from Lockheed Martin and additional industry data.

On December 16, 2025, the Finnish Air Force and Lockheed Martin officially unveiled Finland’s first F-35A Lightning II in a rollout ceremony at the manufacturers’ production facility in Fort Worth, Texas. The event marks a pivotal milestone in Finland’s HX Fighter Program, a €9.4 billion acquisition designed to replace the nation’s aging F/A-18 Hornet fleet and bolster the security of NATO’s northern flank.

The specific aircraft revealed, designated with tail number JF-501, represents the first of 64 stealth fighters ordered by Finland. According to defense sources, this jet successfully completed its maiden flight earlier this month, on December 8, prior to the ceremonial debut.

In a statement during the ceremony, Finnish Minister of Defence Antti Häkkänen emphasized the strategic weight of the acquisition, particularly following Finland’s accession to NATO in 2023.

“Finland is a NATO member and committed to act as a dependable defence provider in the northern flank. We are investing heavily in national industrial capabilities through industrial participation…”

, Antti Häkkänen, Minister of Defence of Finland

Strategic Capabilities and NATO Integration

The delivery of the F-35A fleet is central to Finland’s defense strategy, which relies on high-end survivability and interoperability with allied forces. The rollout underscores the deepening integration of Nordic air defenses, as Finland joins neighboring Norway and Denmark in operating the fifth-generation fighter. This commonality is expected to create a unified “sensor mesh” across the High North, allowing for seamless data sharing in a region of increasing geopolitical tension.

Major General Timo Herranen, Commander of the Finnish Air Force, highlighted the operational necessities driving the procurement.

“In the Finnish operational environment, survivability, lethality and cooperation are imperative. The F-35 will deliver unmatched capability in all those areas…”

, Major General Timo Herranen, Commander of the Finnish Air Force

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According to the program timeline, the first batch of Finnish F-35s will remain in the United States for initial training. Finnish pilots and maintainers will be stationed at Ebbing Air National Guard Base in Fort Smith, Arkansas, training alongside personnel from Poland, Germany, Singapore, and Switzerland. The aircraft are scheduled to arrive on Finnish soil at Rovaniemi Air Base in late 2026, with Initial Operational Capability (IOC) targeted for 2027.

Technical Specifications: Block 4 and TR-3

Finland is receiving the F-35A Block 4 variant, widely considered the most advanced version of the platform to date. These aircraft are enabled by the Technology Refresh 3 (TR-3) hardware upgrade, which provides the computational power necessary for next-generation sensor fusion.

Based on technical specifications released regarding the Block 4 configuration, the Finnish jets will feature:

• Enhanced Computing: A new integrated core processor with significantly expanded memory and processing speed.
• Advanced Weaponry: The “Sidekick” modification, which increases internal carriage capacity to six AIM-120 AMRAAMs.
• Standoff Capabilities: Integration of the AGM-158B JASSM-ER and the Joint Strike Missile (JSM), providing long-range precision strike options.

Future upgrades are expected to include the AN/APG-85 AESA radar and the AN/ASQ-239 electronic warfare suite, critical for operating in contested airspace near advanced air defense systems.

Industrial Participation and Economic Impact

A cornerstone of the procurement deal is the Industrial Participation Agreement, which mandates that 30% of the contract value be reinvested into the Finnish economy. Lockheed Martin has partnered with Finnish defense contractor Patria to fulfill these requirements.

Under this agreement, Patria will play a significant role in the global F-35 supply chain. Responsibilities include the assembly of forward fuselages for 400 aircraft and the final assembly of the Pratt & Whitney F135 engines for the Finnish fleet. Furthermore, a heavy maintenance hub will be established within Finland to ensure independent repair capabilities and security of supply during potential crises.

AirPro News Analysis

While the technological specifications of the F-35 are well-documented, the specific application of these jets within Finnish doctrine represents a unique evolution of the platform. Finland is renowned for its dispersed operations doctrine, where aircraft operate from austere highway strips and secondary bases to avoid being targeted on the ground.

We observe that the Finnish Air Force is likely to push the F-35’s logistical limits, testing its ability to operate in harsh Arctic winter conditions with minimal ground support. If successful, Finland’s implementation of the F-35 could serve as a blueprint for other nations looking to maintain air power survivability in high-threat environments without relying solely on large, vulnerable airbases.

Sources

• Lockheed Martin Press Release

This article is based on an official press release from Airbus and additional technical data from public defense reporting.

German Navy Accepts First NH90 Sea Tiger Helicopter

On December 16, 2025, the German Navy officially accepted the delivery of its first NH90 Sea Tiger helicopters at the Nordholz Naval Airbase. According to an official press release from Airbus Helicopters, this handover marks the beginning of a significant modernization effort for German naval aviation, replacing the aging Sea Lynx Mk88A fleet with a dedicated Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) platform.

The delivery is the first milestone in a broader contract signed in 2020, valued at approximately €2.7 billion. Under this agreement, the Bundeswehr has ordered 31 Sea Tiger helicopters, with the full fleet scheduled for delivery by 2030. As reported by Airbus, the Sea Tiger is designed to serve as the primary shipborne combat helicopter for the German Navy’s current and future frigates, specifically targeting threats in the North Atlantic and Baltic Sea.

Modernizing the Fleet for High-Intensity Conflict

The arrival of the Sea Tiger represents a critical shift in capability. For decades, the Sea Lynx Mk88A has been the backbone of Germany’s ship-based anti-submarine operations. However, evolving threats on NATO’s Northern Flank have necessitated a more advanced platform. The Sea Tiger is based on the NH90 “NATO Frigate Helicopter” (NFH) variant but has been heavily modified for combat roles.

Stefan Thomé, Managing Director of Airbus Helicopters Germany, emphasized the importance of this delivery for European defense capabilities.

“The Sea Tiger provides a powerful tool to defend Germany’s, Europe’s, and NATO’s borders. We are proud to deliver this aircraft on cost, on time, and on quality.”

, Stefan Thomé, Airbus Helicopters (via Airbus Press Release)

According to defense reporting by FlightGlobal and Naval News, the German Navy is targeting an accelerated operational timeline. While the full fleet is expected by 2030, the service aims to have the advanced “Step 4” configuration operational by 2029 to meet potential aggression scenarios. Captain Broder Nielsen, Commander of German Naval Aviation, highlighted the urgency of the program in public remarks, noting that the North Atlantic and Baltic Sea are the navy’s primary operating environments where they must be prepared to counter enemy submarines.

Technical Specifications and Capabilities

The NH90 Sea Tiger is distinct from the NH90 Sea Lion, which the German Navy already operates for Search and Rescue (SAR) and transport missions. While they share a common airframe, the Sea Tiger is outfitted with a specialized mission suite for high-intensity warfare.

Sensors and Weaponry

According to technical data released by Airbus and NHIndustries, the Sea Tiger features a maximum takeoff weight of 10.6 tonnes and is equipped with state-of-the-art systems for detecting and engaging underwater and surface threats:

• Dipping Sonar: The helicopter utilizes the Thales FLASH SONICS (or OTS-90 Mk II) active dipping sonar for deep-water detection.
• Sonobuoys: A pneumatic launcher system allows the crew to deploy acoustic sensor fields rapidly.
• Weapons: The platform supports MU90 Impact lightweight torpedoes for ASW and MBDA Marte ER missiles for Anti-Surface Warfare (ASuW).
• Surveillance: A Leonardo LEOSS-T electro-optical system provides high-definition surface surveillance capabilities.

Performance Profile

The aircraft is powered by two Rolls-Royce Turbomeca RTM322-01/9 turboshafts, offering a maximum cruise speed of approximately 300 km/h (160 knots). It has an endurance of roughly four to five hours and a range between 800 and 980 kilometers on internal fuel, allowing it to extend the defensive perimeter of its host frigate significantly.

AirPro News Analysis

Logistical Synergies: The decision to operate both the Sea Lion and Sea Tiger variants of the NH90 offers substantial logistical advantages. By utilizing a common airframe for both transport and combat roles, the German Navy can streamline pilot training, maintenance procedures, and spare parts supply chains. This commonality is crucial for maintaining high availability rates, a challenge that has plagued other complex helicopter programs in the past. However, the success of this strategy will depend on the reliability of the specialized mission systems unique to the Sea Tiger, particularly the integration of the new dipping sonar and tactical data links.

Operational Deployment

The Sea Tiger is designed to operate from the German Navy’s modern combat vessels. Due to its size, it is not compatible with the older F123 Brandenburg-class frigates. Instead, it will deploy from:

• F124 Sachsen-class (Air Defense Frigates)
• F125 Baden-Württemberg-class (Stabilization Frigates)
• F126 Niedersachsen-class (Future Multi-purpose Combat Ships)

The helicopter also features Link 22 tactical data link connectivity, ensuring secure, beyond-line-of-sight communication with other NATO assets, a requirement for integrated naval operations in the North Atlantic.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between the Sea Tiger and the Sea Lion?

While both are NH90 helicopters, the Sea Lion is optimized for transport and Search and Rescue (SAR), replacing the Sea King. The Sea Tiger is a combat variant equipped with sonar, torpedoes, and missiles to replace the Sea Lynx for anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare.

How many Sea Tigers has Germany ordered?

The German Bundeswehr has ordered 31 NH90 Sea Tiger helicopters.

When will the fleet be fully operational?

Deliveries began in December 2025, and the full fleet of 31 units is scheduled to be delivered by 2030.

What weapons does the Sea Tiger carry?

It carries MU90 Impact torpedoes for targeting submarines and Marte ER missiles for targeting surface ships.

Sources

• Airbus
• FlightGlobal
• Naval News