The Pentagon has firmly refuted rumors that a “kill switch” has been installed on exported F-35 fighter jets, which could allow the US to remotely deactivate them at any time.
The rumors surfaced after President Donald Trump announced the US would halt military aid and intelligence sharing with Ukraine, sparking concerns that some fighter jets sent to the country would also be “disabled” immediately.
Canada, which has an order for 88 F-35s, is now being urged to reconsider its acquisition over fears about the “degree of control” the Pentagon might have over the stealth fighters.
In response, the Joint Program Office (JPO) for the F-35 program stated that no such remote mechanism exists, and that the US is committed to ensuring all users have “full functionality” of the fifth-generation aircraft.
“There is no kill switch,” the office noted. “The program operates under well-established agreements that ensure all F-35 operators have the necessary capabilities to sustain and operate their aircraft effectively.”
A Deeper Meaning?
Joachim Schranzhofer, head of communications at German arms firm Hensoldt, told local media that allegations of a “kill switch” in F-35s may be “more than just a rumor.”
While he did not elaborate, he suggested that the US could effectively ground any foreign-operated F-35s by blocking access to key software updates.
As the country of origin, the US provides critical maintenance and support for every F-35 exported to allies.
This dependency could reportedly create a “strategic vulnerability,” especially for Ottawa, according to some defense analysts.
“By severing maintenance support, shipments of spare parts, and cutting foreign F-35s off from US computer networks, the aircraft would quickly be hobbled,” a director from the Center for a New American Security told Breaking Defense.
“Without these software updates, F-35s could fly, but would be much more likely to be shot down by enemy air defenses.”
As of March 2025, there are 14 international F-35 customers, including Australia and Japan.
