Can Europe, Australia & Canada Trust The F-35?

In this in-depth analysis, I explore the complex, high-stakes world of the F-35 program and what it means for Europe and its allies. Over the past six years, American allies—and particularly European nations—have invested heavily in the 5th-generation F-35 Lightning II. With an estimated total value exceeding a trillion dollars to the US economy and generating over $72 billion in tax revenue from hundreds of thousands of jobs, the F-35 has become a cornerstone of US defense sales.

However, with the US president increasingly alienating close allies on a near-daily basis, a critical question looms: What happens if unpredictable foreign policy decisions lead to the disabling of these advanced systems? In this video, I, Tuomas—a former officer in the Finnish Defence Forces—delve into the risks, costs, and strategic challenges associated with the F-35, particularly for our European and Pacific partners.

In this video, we cover:
F-35’s Economic and Strategic Impact:

How the F-35 program has bolstered the US economy and why it’s so valuable to American taxpayers and job creators.

The staggering financial implications for European buyers, with key contracts in nations such as the United Kingdom, Italy, Norway, the Netherlands, Denmark, Belgium, Poland, Finland, and Switzerland.

Global and European Acquisition Overview:
A brief history of the F-35 program, from its origins in the Joint Strike Fighter program of the 1990s to its selection by Lockheed Martin in 2001.
Sales data and contract details for operators like Great Britain, Italy, Israel, Japan, South Korea, Australia, and others, while highlighting that many European countries—including Greece, Romania, and the Czech Republic—have yet to receive their full orders.

Security Risks and Software Dependence:
The critical reliance on remote software upgrades—much like Tesla vehicles—and the potential vulnerabilities this creates when updates are delivered via a secure link from the US.
How operators such as Great Britain and Israel have modified or replaced the original F-35 avionics with their own systems, raising serious security concerns for other customers.

Operational Costs and Maintenance Challenges:
The high cost per flight hour for the F-35—ranging between $35,000 and $45,000—compared to European alternatives like the Rafale, Gripen, and Eurofighter.

Maintenance issues, including the expensive upkeep of stealth coatings and software reliability problems, which contribute to a projected $1.58 trillion lifetime maintenance cost.

European Strategic Options and Alternatives:
Why many European nations might not truly need the F-35, given that aircraft such as the Gripen, Eurofighter, and Rafale offer effective deterrence against Russian threats—at least until Europe’s 6th generation fighters come online.

The potential for European operators to leverage contractual clauses and demand that electronics be fully European-controlled, reducing reliance on US networks and systems.

Wider Geopolitical Concerns:
How Trump’s erratic foreign policy moves, including the possibility of transferring F-35 technology to India (with implications for Russia and China), place European allies in a difficult diplomatic and strategic position.
The broader impact on other US-delivered systems, like HIMARS and Patriot, that share similar software dependencies, potentially jeopardizing the security and effectiveness of allied military assets.

Music by MaxKoMusic - https://maxkomusic.com

All pictures and logos sourced from open sources or with the consent from the owner or rights holder, or with the implicit right of fair use.

#europe #canada #australia

Видео Can Europe, Australia & Canada Trust The F-35? канала MilitaryRated
finnish defence forces, finnish armed forces, finnish defense forces, finnish military, finnish military power, how big is finland's navy?, finnish army, how powerful is finlands military, norway, swedish armed forces, norwegian army, swedish army, sweden, denmark, finland, norwegian navy, nordics, NATO, norwegian air force, danish air force, swedish air force, finnish air force, army, poland, uk, royal navy, netherlands, dutch military, f-35, airforce, fighter jet, aviation