274
Europe and Canada Are Finally Saying No to the U.S. F-35 Stealth Fighter, Motivated By a Desire For “Strategic Autonomy” (nationalsecurityjournal.org)
submitted 1 year ago by to c/canada@lemmy.ca
83 comments fedilink hide all child comments
 

Archived link

  • European nations and Canada are “pushing away” from the F-35, motivated by a desire for “strategic autonomy” and political friction with the Trump administration

  • Spain officially canceled its F-35 purchase in August 2025, opting for European-built alternatives. Switzerland is now also reviewing its 36-jet deal after being hit with a “shocking” $1.3 billion price hike and new 39% U.S. tariffs, and recent reports suggest that Portugal has not opted to purchase the U.S. jets

  • Instead of the F-35, they are increasingly looking to European alternatives, such as the Eurofighter Typhoon and the Future Combat Air System (FCAS).

  • Canada’s 88-jet deal is also in “limbo,” as PM Mark Carney, angered by Trump’s “51st state” comments and trade disputes, ordered a review of the 72 un-committed jets

  • Technological and industrial sovereignty are significant reasons why some countries are opting not to purchase the F-35. Some European nations prioritize developing their own defense industries and technological bases. Buying American-made F-35s would make them dependent on US supply chains and could suppress the development of their own next-generation aircraft programs. ...

you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments
[–] 1 point 1 year ago (2 children)

We already have 12.

And they are bricked on a software issue for a year, even the US Navy rejected these planes. We are buying junk.

https://www.navylookout.com/us-watchdog-warns-of-growing-risks-to-f-35-programme/

"Central to Block 4 is the Technology Refresh 3 (TR-3) hardware and software suite, a $1.9 billion upgrade that boosts computing power and memory. TR-3 has proved far harder to deliver than expected. GAO notes continuing problems with sensors, software stability and supply chains. By 2024, every F-35 delivered was late, on average 238 days behind schedule, largely due to TR-3.

In a highly unusual step, the Pentagon began accepting non-combat-capable aircraft with TR-3 hardware installed but immature software. These jets are being used for training while awaiting retrofit. By mid-2025, 174 such aircraft had been accepted. For the UK, this precedent is concerning: should future deliveries to the RAF and RN fall into this category, the Lightning Force could receive expensive jets that are not immediately usable for operations."

  • permalink
  • fedilink
  • source
  • parent
  • hideshow 2 child comments
    •