Summary
European nations refute claims that the U.S. has a “kill switch” for F-35 fighter jets, despite concerns raised after Trump suspended military aid and intelligence support to Ukraine.
While no evidence confirms such a switch, experts warn the U.S. could limit access to crucial software updates.
Belgium and Switzerland assert their F-35s remain autonomous but acknowledge reliance on U.S. data systems.
Set to receive 35 F-35s in 2026, some German politicians are questioning whether the purchase should have been made amid these concerns.
There are already some: Eurofighter, Saab Gripen, Dassault Rafale.
Although I remember a news story from like 7 years ago, where Austrias new Eurofighter jets couldn’t fly because they did not receive the GPS license from the US in time… So still dependent on the US, even for “domestic” jets, though that problem could probably be solved