Claims of a US "kill switch" in F-35 aircraft cause questions in Germany, hence sparking discussions on military sovereignty and operational autonomy.
Concerns regarding the possible US remote deactivation of F-35 fighter jets—a long-standing but unsubstantiated allegation that calls doubt on European military sovereignty—have been raised by a senior official at the German defence company Hensoldt.
Joining a growing number of European countries, including the American-made stealth fighter, in their fleets, Germany is scheduled to acquire 35 F-35 aircraft under a €8.3 billion purchase. Already in use with the UK and 15 other military services globally, the aircraft has long been hypothesised to have a so-called "kill switch" or other ways of US control.
Head of communications at Hensoldt Joachim Schranzhofer informed Bild that although the existence of such a system was "more than just a rumour", he did not go into more detail. However, by limiting access to vital software, which is still under American control, the United States could readily halt ally F-35 fleets.
This issue has attracted attention among European politicians, especially in Germany where issues over the nation's reliance on US defence technology have been raised. Former German diplomat and Munich Security Conference Foundation president Wolfgang Ischinger cautioned Germany to reconsider its acquisition should Washington's influence over the planes reflect its present military assistance tactics in Ukraine.
Despite these reservations, military officials from Belgium and Switzerland and F-35 buyers have rejected worries about outside aircraft control.
TurDef believes that, any air plaform with such cutting edge technology has the same potential. There is no need for a kill switch as such technology depends heavily on logistic support mechanism to stay operational and mission ready.
