A German CDU politician, Roderich Kiesewetter, has raised the question of the German military acquiring 35 F-35 fighter jets from the US.
According to the politician, the F-35 is a system controlled by the US, citing the mission planning system, electronic network and technical maintenance. He stated to the “Tagesspiegel” that, in theory, the US could make the F-35 unusable for Germany and other countries.
Therefore, Kiesewetter suggests that Germany should review existing agreements with the US and, at the very least, start exploring alternatives to be prepared in case the US renounces its nuclear sharing.
The German Ministry of Defence, however, stated that in contract agreements with various countries and manufacturers, the ability of the systems and the German military to be deployed has always been ensured. Additionally, the F-35 is a multinational arms project, with significant parts being produced outside of the US and used by 20 nations. The large community of users has a strong interest in the reliable and effective operation of the F-35 and the successful continuation of the program.