Germany’s 35 F-35 fighter planes from the United States were controversial because of concerns that Washington could deactivate these planes remotely. US President Donald Trump’s latest moves in Ukrainian policy, Germany in Germany had more questions.

USA can close F-35s remotely

Germany plans to receive F-35s as of 2026 as part of the 8.3 billion euro agreement. However, a claim that has been on the agenda for years has begun to echo in the security circles in Berlin: Can the USA neutralize them by providing remote access to these planes?

Joachim Schranzhofer, Communication Director of the German defense company Hensoldt, who spoke to the Bild newspaper, said it wasn’t just a rumor. If the US really has a “Kill Switch” ability, it can pose an important risk that threatens Europe’s military autonomy. “Kill Switch” is known as the secret mechanism in which the US continues to control on military systems supplied to its allies.

On the other hand, the Swiss Ministry of Defense denied the news that the US could break the F-35. Belgian Defense Minister General Frederik Versina said in a statement last week, F-35 is not a remote-controlled plane ”.

So it is difficult to say if there is really such a “Kill Switch” in the F-35s. However, Europe is largely dependent on the US for communication support, electronic warfare support and ammunition supply in any serious conflict. So even this is a “Kill Switch” in itself.

The contract may be canceled

These concerns increased further with Trump’s stopping military aid to Ukraine and suspending intelligence sharing. The Ukrainian army from the United States F-16 aircraft, radar systems have become unusable because the necessary technical support has been cut, Germany’s F-35’lar’nın a similar scenario raised the possibility of living.

Wolfgang Ischinger, former president of the Munich Security Conference, said, “If we fear that the US will treat the German F-35 jets in the future just like in Ukraine, then the cancellation of the contract may come to the agenda”

According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), 55 percent of Europe’s weapon imports in 2019-2023 came from the USA. This rate was 35 percent in the previous five -year period. This addiction makes Europe vulnerable to the US’s variable foreign policies. Trump’s harsh changes in NATO policies accelerate Europe’s efforts to strengthen its defense industry. Germany has activated the strategy of increasing domestic production in order to expand its defense capacity. German defense giant Rheinmetall announced plans to direct two automotive factories to the production of military equipment.