Europe and Canada Are Finally Saying No to the F-35 Stealth Fighter
nationalsecurityjournal.org
Key Points and Summary – European nations and Canada are “pushing away” from the F-35, motivated by a desire for “strategic autonomy” and political friction with the Trump administration. -Spain officially canceled its F-35 purchase in August 2025, opting for European-built alternatives after PM Pedro Sanchez clashed with Trump over NATO spending. -Switzerland, meanwhile, is […]

cross-posted from: https://scribe.disroot.org/post/5525782

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  • European nations and Canada are “pushing away” from the F-35, motivated by a desire for “strategic autonomy” and political friction with the Trump administration

  • Spain officially canceled its F-35 purchase in August 2025, opting for European-built alternatives. Switzerland is now also reviewing its 36-jet deal after being hit with a “shocking” $1.3 billion price hike and new 39% U.S. tariffs, and recent reports suggest that Portugal has not opted to purchase the U.S. jets

  • Instead of the F-35, they are increasingly looking to European alternatives, such as the Eurofighter Typhoon and the Future Combat Air System (FCAS).

  • Canada’s 88-jet deal is also in “limbo,” as PM Mark Carney, angered by Trump’s “51st state” comments and trade disputes, ordered a review of the 72 un-committed jets

  • Technological and industrial sovereignty are significant reasons why some countries are opting not to purchase the F-35. Some European nations prioritize developing their own defense industries and technological bases. Buying American-made F-35s would make them dependent on US supply chains and could suppress the development of their own next-generation aircraft programs. …

  • NuXCOM_90Percent@lemmy.zipEnglish
    31·
    6 hours ago

    Also, side point, what does this mean? The last B-52 was delivered in 1962, and those have been a mainstay of the USAF for the 63 years since. What does “having enough of the planes with a very niche role” indicate about that plane’s capabilities?

    Nah, you made my point much more succinctly. The US (and world) managed to purchase all the f-22s it will ever want or need over a 7 year timespan.

    Thanks

    • Warl0k3@lemmy.worldEnglish
      1·
      3 hours ago

      So your engagement with the criticism is to… claim a single piece of criticism supports your point, and ignore the rest (which is devastating to both your argument and your credibility). And what you are claiming it supports doesn’t even make sense within your earlier comment.

      Convincing!™

      Also the F22 was never available for export - no stealth tech is. Trying to present it as rejected by the world is just comically transparent.