A widespread concern is what would happen to Dutch weapon systems if the Americans were to withdraw completely as an ally. For example, Dutch F-35 aircraft are dependent on American software updates. Yet, Tuinman isn’t particularly worried about this.
“The F-35 is truly a shared product. The British make the Rolls-Royce engines, and the Americans simply need them too.” And even if this mutual dependency doesn’t result in software updates, the F-35, in its current state, is still a better aircraft than other types of fighters.
If you still want to upgrade despite everything, I’m going to say something I should never say, but I will anyway: you can jailbreak an F-35 just like an iPhone. (Crack it with your own software, ed.)
Do you honestly think that all the countries buying these planes havent inspected them? Even if they were incredibly well disguised the chance of them being discovered would essentially stop the US from selling military hardware abroad again as it would be hard proof that they couldnt be trusted.
There is no reason to do that when, as others have pointed out, they can just restrict access to parts, updates and mission planning software.
You are misunderstanding the nature of these kill switches that are thought to be in there. It’s not going to be labeled, and it’s not going to be visible to inspection, but something no one would ever know if it never gets tripped. Thought to be a one time fusible link. Idk if it’s true, but I believe it.
Im not misunderstanding at all, but do you really think governments make multi-billion dollar purchaces without having technical experts go over things with a fine tooth comb. Again if only one customer nation, of which there are dozens, found something like this or if it was ever used, it would wipe out the entire export market for US high tech weapons, why would they do that when they have effective soft power ways of achiving the same thing?