Europe, Canada Explore Alternatives to U.S.-Made Fighter Jets

In the past two months, U.S. President Donald Trump has drastically shifted American foreign policy, leaving NATO members uncertain about the U.S. commitment to defending European allies if attacked by Russia. His frequent overtures to Russia, combined with his suspension of most U.S. foreign aid, have raised alarms. Trump’s defense secretary, Pete Hegseth, recently stated that the U.S. can no longer prioritize Europe’s security, a stance that could affect foreign sales of U.S.-made jets like the F-35 and F-16.

The ongoing war in Ukraine has revealed that many Eastern European NATO members still rely on Soviet-era weapons that are incompatible with Western systems. Efforts to modernize NATO’s equipment—by replacing old jets with Western models like the F-16 or F-35—are gaining momentum. However, some NATO members are reconsidering their reliance on U.S. weapons systems and looking into alternatives, such as European-made jets like the Saab Gripen, Eurofighter Typhoon, and Dassault Rafale.

Canada Rethinks F-35 Purchase
In Canada, where tensions with the U.S. have escalated under Trump’s leadership, Prime Minister Mark Carney has directed Defense Minister Bill Blair to review Canada’s planned purchase of F-35s, despite Canada’s long partnership with the U.S. in developing the aircraft. Blair is exploring other options in light of the changing geopolitical landscape.

Meanwhile, in Portugal, the outgoing defense minister acknowledged that the U.S.’s recent positions on foreign policy have prompted a reevaluation of their planned F-35 purchase. Portugal, currently seeking to replace its F-16s, is considering European alternatives due to concerns over the unpredictability of the U.S.

The High Stakes of F-35 Purchases
The F-35, developed by Lockheed Martin, is touted as one of the most advanced fighter jets, designed to offer stealth, maneuverability, and attack capabilities. Priced at approximately $85 million per unit, the total cost escalates when factoring in supporting infrastructure and spare parts. With over 1,100 units produced for 16 countries, the F-35 remains a cornerstone of Western air power. However, some allies have voiced concerns over the potential for the U.S. to disrupt their operations through control over critical software updates, raising fears of a "kill switch" that could render the jets inoperable.

The U.S. Pentagon has strongly denied any plans for such a feature, emphasizing that the F-35 was designed as a collaborative platform. However, critics argue that the U.S. could still disrupt operations by withholding critical updates, which would significantly affect a country’s ability to operate the aircraft.

European Alternatives to the F-35
As countries like Canada and Portugal reconsider their F-35 purchases, European-made jets such as the Saab Gripen, Eurofighter Typhoon, and Dassault Rafale are gaining attention. While these alternatives lack the F-35’s stealth capabilities, they are often seen as more cost-effective. The Saab Gripen, used by several countries, including Brazil and South Africa, is considered cheaper than the F-35, while the Eurofighter Typhoon, operated by the UK, Germany, Spain, and Italy, offers versatile combat capabilities. The French-built Dassault Rafale, used by the French Air Force and Navy, is also a strong contender, with several countries, including India and Qatar, already committing to purchases.

Experts suggest that the shift away from U.S. defense systems could force European countries to invest more in their own defense industries, pooling resources for research, development, and manufacturing. French President Emmanuel Macron has already begun advocating for increased European defense capabilities, pushing for more countries to consider French-made Rafales as an alternative to the F-35.

Impact on U.S. Defense Industry
If European nations accelerate the production of their own fighter jets, it could significantly affect the profitability of U.S. defense contractors like Lockheed Martin. The growing sentiment in Europe to explore alternatives to American-made jets highlights a potential turning point in the global defense market.

As European nations consider European-made alternatives and Canadian and Portuguese leaders reassess their defense priorities, the future of U.S. fighter jet sales remains uncertain. Defense experts speculate that U.S. contractors may soon pressure the government to reconsider its approach if foreign interest in the F-35 continues to wane.

The White House has not yet commented on the shifting dynamics in international defense procurement.