Kill switch fears over US F-35 fighter jets in Europe - DW News

[TexasTowelie]

The shift in US security policy raises uncomfortable questions in Europe about the dependency on American weapons. One example is the F-35 fighter jet, made by American aerospace giant Lockheed Martin. Several prominent voices linked to the defense establishment in Europe have suggested the US has built so-called 'kill switches' into the aircraft , which would allow Washington to remotely deactivate or limit the combat functions of F-35s sold to foreign allies.

Chapters:
00:00 Kill switch fears over US F-35 fighter jets in Europe
01:02 Justin Bronk, Airpower Expert, Royal Unites Services Institute

[hlthe2b]

1. Wow!

[stoned]

2. No need for this paranoia

The exported version of this aircraft is already limited in what capabilities it has vs the version that is flown by American pilots.

[LetMyPeopleVote]

3. Canada can't afford to risk purchasing these F35s,

Link to tweet

[LetMyPeopleVote]

4. There is increasing fear in Germany that F-35 jets purchased for the German army can be "turned off" remotely

Link to tweet

There is increasing fear in Germany that F-35 jets purchased for the German army can be "turned off" remotely by Washington. This fear is shared by defense and security specialists.

Joachim Schranzhofer, head of communications at Hensoldt:

"The F-35 kill switch is not just a rumor. A simpler way is through a mission planning system that will not allow the fighter to land."

Wolfgang Ischinger, former diplomat and head of the Munich Security Conference:

"If we fear that the US could do the same to the German F-35 fighter jets as they did to Ukraine, we should consider canceling the contract."