Amid speculations and some media reports that suggested that the fifth-generation F-35 stealth fighter jets of the US, produced by Lockheed Martin, has a "kill switch" that would allow the US to remotely disable or limit the combat capabilities of the fighter jet sold to America's allies, the company and various government authorities have come out with their concerns and clarifications.
It is to be noted that the US had pitched the idea of supplying F-35 stealth fighter jets—known as the most lethal, survivable and connected fighter aircraft in the world—to India as well during the recent visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the US. However, a few days ago, Indian Air Force (IAF) Chief Air Chief Marshal A.P. Singh noted that the US is yet to make a formal offer in this regard. "It is not like a washing machine or refrigerator for home that we can buy by just the looks of it. We have not given it a thought. No offer has been made till now," he had said.
The narrative of "F-35 kill switch" gained traction in the wake of the ongoing geopolitical tensions involving Russia and the decision of the US to cut military aid to Ukraine. Various media outlets in European countries, including the UK, Switzerland, Germany and Belgium, are reported to have published news reports that partly suggested the possibility of F-35s being equipped with a "kill switch". There were even appeals to Canada to cancel its $14.5 billion F-35 order.
Killing 'em without 'kill switch'
However, the fact of the matter is the US does not really need a "kill switch" to prevent allies from doing what the supplier does not want them to perform with the fighter jets. Merely stopping the support of US maintenance and logistics chains and computer networks to the F-35s would just do the trick. The capabilities of the fighter jets that would remain in the air for a limited time would be majorly degraded.
In a series of tweets, Tyler Rogoway of defence news website The War Zone observed that "You don't need a 'kill switch' to severely hamper the utility of an exported weapons system, you just stop providing support for it and it will wither away, some systems very quickly...the impact from being locked out of centralized cloud-based system like F-35's ODIN (ALIS) that does so many things, including mission planning w/threat intel integration. Your jets would be far more vulnerable to loss without it.."
He, however, added that there is no real replacement for F-35 and countries would be "sacrificing capability and survivability by stepping away from it."
'Kill switch' not viable, say allies
Belgian Chief of Defence Gen. Frederik Vansina, scotching speculations of a "kill switch", said, "We have no indication that this is possible...The F-35 is not a remote-controlled aircraft. The programme relies on worldwide logistical support, with spare parts circulating between user countries."
Belgium’s Chief of Defence too had said the fighter jet is not a remote-controlled aircraft, reiterating the Switzerland defence ministry stance that the F-35s could be used autonomously.
“The programme operates under well-established agreements that ensure all F-35 operators have the necessary capabilities to sustain and operate their aircraft effectively. The strength of the F-35 programme lies in its global partnership, and we remain committed to providing all users with the full functionality and support they require," The War Zone quoted a F-35 Lightning II Joint Program Office spokesperson as saying.
"A particular strength of the F-35A is that thanks to its sensor technology, it can independently generate a comprehensive situational picture, thus providing pilots with situational awareness in all task areas. The corresponding data processing takes place autonomously in the F-35A," a statement from the Swiss Department of Federal Defense stated.
It pointed out that the US uses its export control policy to ensure that American weapons are not passed on to third countries without the consent of the Pentagon.
