Germany Raises Concerns Over US F-35 'Kill Switch' Control

Concerns are mounting in Germany over a potential 'kill switch' in the F-35 fighter jets, which could allow the US to deactivate the aircraft remotely, particularly under Donald Trump's administration. Germany is set to acquire 35 F-35 jets for approximately €8.3 billion, but speculation about US control has intensified due to recent US actions regarding military aid to Ukraine. Joachim Schranzhofer from the German arms company Hensoldt stated that the 'kill switch' is more than just a rumor, prompting fears that similar controls could be exercised over Germany's air force. Former Munich Security Conference chairman Wolfgang Ischinger warned that if the US could disable the F-35s as it has with F-16s in Ukraine, Germany might consider canceling the contract. This situation reflects a broader unease about Europe's reliance on American military hardware, with calls for Germany to reassess its defense agreements. As European arms imports surge, the implications of such dependencies are increasingly scrutinized.