US-provided German aircrafts face danger of Trump ‘kill switch’

(MENAFN) German officials are increasingly worried that the United States could remotely disable the F-35 fighter jets being delivered to Berlin, particularly in the event of political disagreements, Bild reported on Saturday. These concerns follow Washington’s recent decision to halt intelligence and military support to Ukraine.

Under an €8.3 billion ($9 billion) deal, Germany's Air Force is set to receive 35 US-made F-35A Lightning II jets starting in 2026. However, some policymakers fear that if tensions arise between Washington and European governments—especially regarding potential conflicts with Russia—President Donald Trump could use a so-called "kill switch" to ground the aircraft, the report stated.

Joachim Schranzhofer, head of communications at German defense firm Hensoldt, suggested that such a mechanism is more than speculation. “The ‘kill switch’ in the F-35 is more than just a rumor,” he told Bild, adding that the jets could also be rendered inoperable through the mission planning system, preventing them from taking off altogether.

Former Munich Security Conference Foundation president Wolfgang Ischinger questioned whether Germany should proceed with the deal. “If we have to fear that the US could do with German F-35s what they are currently doing with Ukraine, we might consider canceling the contract,” he warned.

Similar concerns have been raised by experts interviewed by the Financial Times. Defense analyst Richard Aboulafia argued that while no official confirmation of a kill switch exists, the possibility cannot be ruled out. “If you assume something can be done with a little bit of software code, then it exists,” he said.

Others pointed out that such a mechanism might be unnecessary due to European militaries’ reliance on the US for key support functions, including communications, electronic warfare, and ammunition resupply. Justin Bronk, a senior research fellow at the Royal United Services Institute, noted that these dependencies already give Washington significant control over allied forces.

Worries over the F-35 program have grown following Washington’s suspension of military aid to Ukraine after a heated exchange between Trump and Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky. During their meeting, Trump accused Zelensky of avoiding peace negotiations with Russia.

The F-35 project, often described as the most expensive military program in history, is projected to cost over $1.7 trillion throughout its lifespan. Since its first flight in 2006, the program has faced numerous setbacks, including budget overruns, delays, and reliability issues. To date, more than 1,100 F-35 jets have been produced, with many supplied to US allies.

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