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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
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  • 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. ...

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[–] 1 point 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

Sure I agree with that. It's a big part of why the USSR failed bloated military spending while the people struggle to eat. Most authoritarian government for that matter.

Here, tho, I am speaking through the lens of the country's own ambition. The UK want to play big boy super power with two carriers. Okay. Then if that's the case not allocating enough budget to buy 2 carriers worth of aircraft means that :

  1. They wasted billions making a 2nd carrier for nothing.
  2. They don't have the budget for their ambitions.

But I was not even arguing at any point in here to raise military budgets. I'm brainstorming who could need a F-35B alternative.

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