Europe eyes sixth-generation fighter jets amid concerns over US F-35 control

Concerns over the advanced US F-35 fighter jets, fueled by President Donald Trump's harsh criticism of NATO, are driving European countries to explore alternative military technologies.

In particular, European-led sixth-generation fighter jet programs are gaining traction as a way to reduce reliance on Washington’s unpredictable foreign policy, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media. 

For years, NATO members in Europe and neighboring Canada have been alarmed by the US administration’s fluctuating foreign policy, especially the warming relations with Russia. This uncertainty, coupled with Trump’s repeated criticisms of NATO countries for not meeting defense spending targets, has led Europe to heavily depend on Washington for key military assets, including nuclear deterrence. While NATO allies have pledged to increase defense spending, no clear plan has emerged to fill capability gaps left by the US, especially as Washington pivots toward the Indo-Pacific.

Canada recently reviewed its planned procurement of 88 F-35 fighter jets, while Portugal announced in March that it would reconsider its plans to buy F-35s, priced at $100 million each. Reports earlier suggested the presence of a “kill switch” in the F-35s, implying that the US could control the aircrafts purchased by other countries.

Though experts have downplayed these concerns, they admit the US could still exert significant influence over the aircraft's operation, particularly regarding software upgrades or intelligence sharing. The F-35, currently the only fifth-generation fighter available to Western military forces, is used by 20 countries, including NATO members. 

However, European countries are now increasingly focused on sixth-generation fighter programs, with development expected to begin in the mid-2030s. According to a European defense official, there is now a "bigger incentive" for NATO members to participate in these initiatives. The Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP), a collaboration between the UK, Italy, and Japan, is a key example. 

Designed to allow participating countries to make independent military decisions, GCAP is seen as essential for political autonomy in defense matters. Despite the shift towards sixth-generation fighters, European nations committed to the F-35 have reassured their allies of their "ironclad" commitment to the fifth-generation stealth fighter.

By Naila Huseynova