Lockheed’s F-35 faces a bigger threat than China—It’s Donald Trump’s foreign policy

“I am concerned that pure politics could damage our prospects in future competitions,” admitted an executive at a leading US contractor.

The fear? That Trump’s erratic foreign policy could leave allies exposed—or worse, that the US could remotely disable their aircraft if political relations soured.

The Backbone of Western Air Power

The F-35 isn’t just another fighter jet. It’s the only long-range, stealth aircraft of its kind, operated by the US and 19 allied nations, including Japan, Australia, and several European powers.

British aerospace giant BAE Systems plays a crucial role in manufacturing the aircraft, building the rear fuselage and contributing to electronic warfare systems. Italy and Japan are also deeply embedded in the programme. As analyst Robert Stallard of Vertical Research Partners put it, “The aerospace industries of key partners are embedded into the programme, while many of their air forces are already operating the aircraft.”

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This global partnership was once a selling point. Now, it's becoming a vulnerability.

The ‘Kill Switch’ Controversy

At the heart of growing unease is the possibility that the US could disable the F-35s of allied nations. Although the Pentagon has denied the existence of a so-called «kill switch,» some governments remain wary. The fighter jet’s mission data, crucial for electronic warfare, is processed in the US.

“There is a dependency on the mission data files for a lot of F-35 customers,” said Justin Bronk, an aerospace expert at the Royal United Services Institute. While some nations have independent capabilities, others face a significant “geopolitical risk.”

Nations Start to Reconsider

For the first time in years, buyers are having second thoughts.