this post was submitted on 25 Jun 2025
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[–] Humanius@lemmy.world 36 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago) (2 children)

I'm not sure if buying American equipment is a good way to rid ourselves of our dependence on America.
It allows America to control our supply of spare parts and software updates, and it doesn't bolster the European defence industry.

[–] realitista@lemmy.world 3 points 1 month ago (3 children)

Obviously having an EU alternative to the F35 would be ideal, but it will take a long time and a lot of money to develop. For now there isn't another option.

[–] LifeInMultipleChoice@lemmy.world 2 points 1 month ago (1 children)

"According to the October 2024 report from the NNSA, it has also been certified to fly on the B-2, F-16, and German Air Force PA-200 Tornado jets, and is working towards certification on the Italian Air Force’s Tornados and the US Air Force’s B-21 bomber."

Meaning the German PA-200 the UK just retired in 2019 could have been certified to carry those warheads... But you probably would rather have warheads not made in America either

[–] remon@ani.social 3 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago)

The airframes are at the end of their life, Germany is getting F-35s specifically to replace the ageing Tornados as well.

[–] rumimevlevi@lemmings.world 2 points 1 month ago (1 children)

Is russia attacking the uk eminent?

[–] NOT_RICK@lemmy.world 6 points 1 month ago

Probably not, although Russia keeps jerking off to fan fiction about nuking a tidal wave across the island.

[–] OrteilGenou@lemmy.world 0 points 1 month ago (3 children)

What does the EU have to do with the UK?

[–] remon@ani.social 5 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago)

A history of joint airplane development.

[–] Aliktren@lemmy.world 1 points 1 month ago

Theyre not a facist state

[–] realitista@lemmy.world 1 points 1 month ago

Okay replace EU with Europe

[–] remon@ani.social 2 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago) (1 children)

A lot of the F-35 parts are produced in Europe, it's mostly the software that is a concern. But it's not like there are any alternatives right now. Developing a new European plane will take decades.

[–] warrenson@lemmy.nz 10 points 1 month ago (2 children)

I would think the software would be a little more concerning, if there is any truth to this article https://eutoday.net/germany-concerned-over-f-35-kill-switch/

[–] remon@ani.social 2 points 1 month ago

As I said, there are some concerns, but no, there is no out-right "kill switch" or any remote control capability.

Really the biggest risk is the US withholding future software updates for a while, forcing operators to implement their own software packages for those the US will no longer provide updates for.

[–] Redex68@lemmy.world 0 points 1 month ago (1 children)

I'm extremely doubtful of this. Just the chance that a software kill switch exists is way too big of a threat for the US itself. Imagine if Russia or China managed to hack into their systems and get a hold of it, instantly bricking almost the entire US airforce. That would be catastrophic.

[–] warrenson@lemmy.nz 2 points 1 month ago