The Pentagon and Lockheed Martin officially denied on March 18 that the F-35 fighter jet has a “kill switch” that would allow the U.S. to remotely disable it.
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The rumor, which started on social media, raised concerns among allies, leading countries like Canada, Portugal, and Germany to reconsider their purchases.
Although the JPO (F-35 Joint Program Office) assured that all operators will continue receiving full support, allies fear that Washington could restrict maintenance, spare parts, and software updates.
Portugal’s Minister of Defense stated that the U.S. is no longer a predictable ally, while Canada is evaluating alternatives to the F-35. In Germany, Airbus has pressured Berlin to cancel its order for 35 F-35As.
U.S. political instability, especially under Donald Trump, further increases distrust. French President Emmanuel Macron suggested that European nations should opt for the Dassault Rafale, boosting European fighter jet production. France is expected to sign a $7.6 billion contract with India to replace the MiG-29K.
If allies abandon the F-35, American manufacturers could lose billions of dollars in contracts, and U.S. military influence could decline.
Source and images: X @LockheedMartin / @usairforce. This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
