Germany questions F‑35 deal over US control concerns
German media and the experts they cite question the appropriateness of choosing F-35 fighter jets as the aircraft expected to form the backbone of the country's combat aviation in the near future. Concerns are being raised about relations with the American administration, with questions over whether the US could remotely immobilise these planes during a crisis.
“If we are to fear that the USA could treat future German F-35s as they are currently treating Ukraine, we might consider terminating the contract,” said Joachim Schranzhofer, head of communications at German defence company Hensoldt, as quoted by "Bild."
This opinion is not isolated. Earlier this month, Canadian aviation expert Michael Byers made a similar statement, urging Ottawa to carefully reconsider purchasing American fighters.
Germany also starts to doubt the purchase of F-35s
Germany committed to a fairly large contract in 2022, signing an agreement to acquire 35 F-35 fighters. The American aircraft were ordered to replace the ageing fleet of Panavia Tornado fighters. The production of the first F-35 for Germany began in February, but the entire fleet will take some years to appear over the Oder River.
However, recent decisions by Donald Trump regarding Ukraine have intensified concerns in many countries that, if necessary, the US may use an "emergency switch" to immobilise a country's F-35s, imposing its will. Although the existence of such an option has not been confirmed, and some experts even dismiss it, the USA is capable of remotely limiting at least some combat capabilities of the F-35. Joachim Schranzhofer pointed out, for example, the mission planning system to which the Americans have remote access.
F-35 capabilities dependent on the Americans' mood
“If you are postulating the existence of something that can be done with a bit of software code, such an option exists,” said analyst Richard Aboulafia in an interview with the "Financial Times." The situation of the F-16s in Ukraine can serve as an example. After stopping support from the USA, the fighters could still fly, but if Washington hadn't resumed cooperation with Kyiv, the Ukrainian F-16s would have become significantly more impaired in terms of electronic warfare.
“Most European armed forces are heavily dependent on the USA for communication support, electronic warfare, and ammunition supply in any serious conflict,” noted Justin Bronk, a senior research fellow at RUSI (The Royal United Services Institute). He added that, in his opinion, this makes the need for an "emergency switch" redundant as the USA already holds a dominant position.
What could replace the F-35?
German media even suggest alternatives that Berlin should consider instead of opting for the F-35. They point to fighters produced in Europe, such as the French Dassault Rafale and the Swedish JAS 39 Gripen. The latter are highly rated by many experts. According to former Pentagon consultant Reuben F. Johnson, they are even better than the F-35, and haven’t achieved similar success mainly for political reasons.
In the context of concerns over the USA's approach, a weak point of the Swedish fighters could be the American-made General Electric engines. Earlier this year, Colombia announced plans to purchase JAS 39 Gripen (instead of F-16s). However, the transaction will most likely not occur because Washington does not agree to issue a re-export licence for its engines.
