- Shifting U.S. foreign policy, including tariffs, suspension of foreign aid and stance on Ukraine, is causing concerns among NATO allies about the United States’ commitment to the partnership. This has led Canada and Europe to potentially look elsewhere for high-tech weaponry like the F-35.
- The European Union announced a shift away from a defense policy dependent on the U.S., planning to buy more military technology from Europe. Canada is also reviewing its purchase of F-35s amid a trade war with the U.S.
- Concerns over U.S. loyalty to NATO and fears of a hypothetical “kill switch” in F-35 programming are contributing to the potential shift away from U.S. military technology.
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Shifting U.S. foreign policy is compelling Canada and Europe to potentially look elsewhere for high-tech weaponry, like the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter.
What is causing concerns among US allies?
The Trump administration’s tariffs on allies like Canada, suspension of foreign aid and stance on Ukraine have led to NATO members raising concerns over the United States’ commitment to the transatlantic partnership and whether it would defend Western allies if Moscow were to launch an attack.
What was the previous plan?
Amid Russia’s war in Ukraine, it has been shown eastern European NATO nations have large stockpiles of Soviet-era weapons. Officials said these stockpiles are incompatible with Western military equipment.
The revelation led to a long-term effort to get all NATO nations on the same page in terms of weaponry. NATO did this by swapping out Soviet-era jets with Western ones, specifically, the F-16, and in some instances, the F-35.
However, some NATO countries are now considering a switch from U.S.-made fighters to European jets. This comes as many NATO nations questioned Trump’s loyalty to the partnership.
How is Europe responding?
The European Union also announced on Wednesday, March 19, a new shift away from a defense policy dependent on the U.S. for security and plans to buy more military technology from Europe. In recent years, the EU has given roughly two-thirds of its weapons orders to U.S. defense companies.
How is Canada responding?
Canada is also considering changes amid a trade war with the U.S. Prime Minister Mark Carney is ordering a review of its purchase of F-35s from the U.S. The move could be significant, considering Canada has worked in concert with the U.S. in developing the jet.
How are others responding?
Not all countries are moving away from U.S. weaponry, though. The Netherlands and Norway have recently expressed continued support for the U.S. F-35 program.
To date, about 1,100 F-35 Joint Strike Fighters have been produced for 16 military services around the world. While expensive, Europe would not be able to replicate its capabilities with purchases outside the U.S.
What are other concerns among European allies?
Adding to European concerns and a potential shift away from U.S. military technology, the Trump administration’s stance on the Russia-Ukraine war has led to fears the U.S. could install a hypothetical “kill switch” in F-35s programming. The Pentagon, however, firmly denies any such “kill switch” exists.
