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Berlin discusses the risks of military cooperation with Washington
Germany has been debating whether cooperation with the US in the field of military aviation poses risks, especially after the unexpected cessation of arms and intelligence supplies to Ukraine. According to the German newspapers Handelsblatt and Bild, the main issue is the possible existence of the so-called Kill Switch function, a mechanism that allows the US to remotely disable F-35 fighters.
The German Air Force (Luftwaffe) has ordered 35 F-35 fighter jets worth €10 billion from Lockheed Martin. However, experts now fear that in the event of political changes in the United States, particularly after Donald Trump’s second term in office, these aircraft could become inactive at the White House’s behest.
German military calls for restraint
Despite the concerns, defence officials are urging people not to panic. A defence source told Handelsblatt that even in the event of a shutdown, Germany will be able to operate the F-35 until it runs out of spare parts or needs a software update.
Handelsblatt also recalls that Lockheed Martin has already had problems with software for the F-35, which has caused delays in deliveries to Denmark, Norway and Belgium.
Politicians demand guarantees from the US
The Bundestag had different reactions to this topic.
▪️ Johannes Wadefuhl, deputy chairman of the CDU/CSU faction, said that the party has no plans to abandon the F-35 contract.
▪️ Ingo Gedehns, a CDU MP, called for a thorough analysis of the situation:
“We are spending billions on F-35s, so we need to be sure that we can decide how to use them. Can the Americans simply turn them off at Trump’s behest? This is unacceptable!”
Ischinger: Is the US an unreliable supplier?
One of the first to draw attention to this problem was the well-known diplomat Wolfgang Ischinger, former chairman of the Munich Security Conference and former German ambassador to the United States.
“Perhaps Berlin should demand ironclad guarantees from the US on the F-35. If we have to worry that the US will do to German F-35s what it is doing to Ukraine, maybe we should reconsider this deal? ” Ischinger wrote on social media platform X.
His statement was a reaction to lively discussions on social media about the possible existence of a mechanism for remotely blocking the F-35.
The manufacturer confirms the existence of a shutdown mechanism
Joachim Schranzhofer, a spokesperson for the German defence company Hensoldt, which cooperates with Lockheed Martin, was one of the first to comment on the topic of Kill Switch.
“The F-35’s quick disconnect feature is more than just a rumour. The easiest way is to do it through the mission planning system, and then the aircraft will not be able to take off at all,” he told X.
What’s next?
Germany is due to receive its first F-35s in 2026, and this situation could force Berlin to set tough conditions for Washington. The €10 billion deal is now under political scrutiny, and if concerns about the Kill Switch feature are confirmed, it could affect not only the German contract but also the US reputation as a reliable arms partner.
