Germany’s impending acquisition of 35 Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II fighter jets has sparked concerns that the United States could remotely disable the aircraft in a crisis.
Fears of a so-called “kill switch” have intensified following reports that the U.S. may have restricted critical targeting data for HIMARS rocket systems in Ukraine after the U.S. announced its decision to pause intelligence aid to the country.
On Saturday, reports also emerged that U.S.-supplied F-16s had ceased functioning in Ukraine.
Joachim Schranzhofer, the communications chief at German defense contractor Hensoldt, a technical partner of Lockheed Martin, the manufacturer of the F-35, has expressed concerns about the F-35’s control systems, suggesting that the aircraft could be remotely grounded through the mission planning system.
“The ‘kill switch’ in the F-35 is more than just a rumor,” Schranzhofer told German newspaper Bild. “But it’s much easier to use the mission planning system – then the plane stays on the ground.”
Former diplomat Wolfgang Ischinger, who previously chaired the Munich Security Conference, voiced similar concerns, suggesting that Berlin should reconsider the purchase.
“If we fear that the U.S. could do with our future F-35s what they are currently doing with Ukraine, we might have to consider canceling the contract,” Ischinger told the news outlet.
Ingo Gädechens, a Bundestag member and former soldier, added that Germany must ensure full control over its military assets.
“If we’re spending so much on a weapon system like the F-35, we must be able to decide how it is used,” he said.
The F-35 program is considered the most expensive military project in history, with projected lifetime costs exceeding $1.7 trillion. Since the first F-35 took flight in 2006, the program has been marred by cost overruns, delays, and reliability issues. To date, over 1,100 units have been produced, many of which have been delivered to U.S. allies.
Next year, Germany is set to acquire 35 of the world’s most advanced fighter jets from the U.S. in a deal worth €8.3 billion ($9 billion) as part of its broader effort to modernize its air force.
