At a time when relations between United States and Europe They cross a delicate phase, with a new mandate of Donald Trump at the head of the White House demanding greater contributions to NATO and threatening with commercial reprisals, a one Critical military concern: To what extent does European allies on American technology depend?
A recent analysis of the specialized media Military Galaxy It raises a disturbing scenario. Several European countries that have acquired poachers F-35 Lightning II from Lockheed Martin could see them unused morning If Washington decided to cut access to essential software systems for your operation.
How can the US turn the F-35?
The F-35considered the most advanced combat aircraft in the world, depend on two key logistics systems: ALIS (Autonomic Logistics Information System) And his successor, Odin (Operational Data Integrated Network). Both require Daily connection with American servers To perform diagnoses, update systems and validate your operational capabilities.
This means that, in an extreme case, United States could simply cut remote access To those servers, leaving the fighters on the ground. This is what some analysts call a “Digital deactivation switch”. Although this measure has never been applied, the possibility generates concern in the Ministries of Defense of several countries.
What European countries are at risk?
Several NATO members have already acquired these poachers:
Spainmeanwhile, has not opted for the F-35, opting instead of the Eurofighter Typhoona European model that does not depend on the US for their daily functioning.
Allied or dependence?
What seems like a Technological cooperation between allies now reveals a strong Power asymmetry. While Europe invests billions in state -of -the -art fighters, its ability to use It can depend on a political decision in Washington.
In times of growing geopolitical tension, this type of technological vulnerability charges more importance than ever.