Reports Ukraine could soon be unable to properly use its US-supplied F-16 fighter jets have left Europeans concerned the same could happen to them

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.

      • JeeBaiChow@lemmy.worldEnglish
        1·
        8 days ago

        F22 is also stealth, plus higher thrust to weight, maneuverability and supercruise. It would swat the f35 in a dogfight, but now it’s about locking on from miles away. The f32s radar is shrouded in secrecy, and though the f35s unit is ‘newer’, the us chose to keep one and sell the other to other nations, so I’d put my money on the f22.

  • NoForwardslashS@sopuli.xyzEnglish
    0·
    9 days ago

    Set to receive 35 F-35s in 2026, some German politicians are questioning whether the purchase should have been made amid these concerns.

    Yeah, I’d probably at least question a purchase of 35 $100mil items when the seller casually states they can just arbitrarily make them stop working on a whim.