Has the F-35 Proved Its Worth?

Rumors of a kill switch” dented foreign users’ faith in the U.S. aircraft. But its wartime capabilities, as shown in Israel's attacks on Iran in June, have highlighted why the stealth jet remains unrivaled

- ELLIE COOK

U.S. PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP'S TRIUMPHANT strides back into the White House put NATO's European countries, as well as Canada, on edge. His historic skepticism about the alliance was one thing, but military planners in countries buying U.S. hardware began questioning whether the F-35-the world's most expensive weapons program-had been the right choice.

The Lockheed Martin-made F-35 is the only real option for Western militaries outside the U.S. to get hold of a fifth-generation stealth fighter aircraft, and many of the 20 nations operating or buying them are NATO members. Fifth-generation planes are the most advanced currently in operation, with sixth-generation aircraft in the early development stages.

As Trump settled back into the Oval Office, rumors of a "kill switch" started floating around in defense circles. There was-according to the whispers-effectively a button the U.S. could press to control the aircraft bought and operated by recipient countries. Although the Pentagon and analysts quickly tamped down on such talk, when paired with the Trump administration's at times abrasive and unpredictable approach to foreign policy, it made many think twice about just how wise it was to put all the fifth-generation eggs in the F-35 basket.

For now, after months of uncertainty for many U.S. allies, the worries seem to have cooled-at least for now. The U.K. announced at NATO's biggest summit of the year in June that it was buying at least 12 F-35A fighter jets, adding to the F-35B variants it already has.

This means the country's Royal Air Force could join NATO's dual capable aircraft fleet, featuring jets certified to carry American tactical nuclear weapons as well as conventional bombs and missiles.