The Times: Western countries are currently reconsidering their requests to obtain F-35
The Times reported that several Western countries, including Germany and Canada, are currently reconsidering their requests to purchase the US made F-35 stealth fighter due to concerns about US control over its operation and the limits and restrictions on its use.
The British newspaper explained that the US could prevent Germany from using its fleet of these aircraft at any time, according to an analysis of the previously secret contract to purchase the aircraft, noting that the Pentagon reportedly insisted on reserving the right to halt the flights under exceptional and urgent circumstances, when the US national interest requires it, and refused to allow German officials to examine the computer code controlling the aircraft.
This news comes after the Trump administration briefly halted the provision of spare parts, software, and military intelligence to Ukraine.
The Times reported that manufacturing partners, led by US company Lockheed Martin, denied persistent speculation that the aircraft was equipped with a secret deactivation switch that Washington could activate remotely at any moment.
However, analysts say the aircraft is so heavily dependent on regular software updates and spare parts from the United States that the administration could achieve the same effect simply by cutting off technical support.
This has raised deep concerns among 21 allied and partner nations that have purchased or ordered F-35s, including the United Kingdom, Japan, and Australia.
While the United Kingdom and the Netherlands have insisted, they still have confidence in the technology, Canada and Portugal have indicated they may cancel their orders.
According to Rasmus Jarlov, a conservative Danish MP who was involved in his country’s decision to purchase 27 aircraft, said he regretted the decision and warned other countries against withdrawing from the program, saying, “I can easily imagine a situation in which the United States demands that Denmark hand over Greenland and threatens to deactivate our weapons if we don’t”.
The Times said the issue is particularly uncomfortable for Germany, which has ordered 35 aircraft in 2023 to ensure the continuation of its nuclear sharing agreement, under which the United States deploys approximately 15 nuclear weapons on German soil.
The aircraft, expected to cost around $8.8 billion, are a centerpiece of Germany’s “Dawn of a New Era” defense policy, announced by former Chancellor Olaf Scholz following the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
The first aircraft are scheduled to be delivered in 2027.
The Times added that these concerns are likely to be exacerbated by a report published in Stern magazine, which said it had obtained a copy of the secret German contract for the F-35 aircraft.
According to Stern, the Germans are required to inform Washington in advance of every flight and may not be able to maintain the aircraft or inspect their software.
They must also approve all data on how the aircraft will be used and uploaded to Amazon’s cloud storage.
However, the German Defense Ministry said it was confident that the F-35s would be serviceable and that contracts would be fulfilled.
