SAEDNEWS: In a surprising decision, one of the member states of the European Union announced that it has suspended its plan to purchase advanced American F-35 fighter jets. This decision, which prompted reactions from U.S. officials, is seen as another sign of growing rifts in military relations between Europe and the United States.
According to Saed News, citing Russia Today, amid geopolitical crises and growing defense concerns in Europe, one of the key member states of the European Union has officially announced that it has currently suspended the purchase agreement for advanced F-35 fighter jets from the United States.
Although the name of the country was not officially mentioned in NATO’s statement, informed sources in European media have stated that the country is likely either Germany or Belgium. According to analysts, this decision could have significant political, security, and economic consequences for both sides of the Atlantic.
The F-35 fighter jet, produced by the American company Lockheed Martin, is one of the most advanced military aircraft in the world. This stealth aircraft has high-level offensive and defensive capabilities and has been purchased by NATO member states such as the United Kingdom, Italy, Poland, and the Netherlands.
The cost of each jet is estimated at around 80 to 100 million dollars, and its purchase is usually considered part of strategic agreements between the United States and its European allies.
While the official authorities of the concerned country have not yet provided a clear reason for this decision, some European sources have pointed to two categories of possible reasons:
Political and Strategic Reasons:
According to a senior European defense official who wished to remain anonymous, some European countries are reviewing the extent of their military dependence on the United States. He stated:
"Europe must move towards defense autonomy. Buying the F-35 means continued dependency on the United States."
Technical and Financial Reasons:
Some experts argue that the maintenance and upgrade costs of F-35 fighter jets are extremely high, making it economically unviable for certain countries. Furthermore, technical delivery delays and the need for complex infrastructure to operate these jets have raised concerns among some customers.
The U.S. Department of Defense (Pentagon), in response to this decision, stated:
"Our defense cooperation with Europe is based on trust, coordination, and mutual interests. We hope negotiations will continue and that this decision will be reconsidered."
Some analysts believe this relatively mild response reflects Washington’s desire to maintain dialogue and prevent escalating tensions.
Some security observers believe that the growing presence and influence of China and Russia in global technology and arms markets have pressured European countries to seek greater strategic independence in their defense decisions.
Additionally, the increasing dependence of certain F-35 systems on technologies controlled by the U.S. has raised concerns about potential remote control or interference during wartime.
Some military sources have indicated that the concerned country might turn to purchasing or developing European-made fighter jets instead of the F-35. Current alternative projects under consideration include:
Rafale fighter jet made by France
Eurofighter Typhoon, developed by a European consortium
The sixth-generation fighter jet program jointly developed by France, Germany, and Spain, known as FCAS
A French defense official stated:
"Europe should not wait for Washington to decide. We must be the decision-makers of our own future."
This news received widespread coverage in many Western and even Asian media outlets.
The Guardian headlined:
"EU's military autonomy in motion as F-35 deal stalls"
The Al Jazeera news network also noted in an analytical report:
"This decision could be the prelude to a broader reassessment of EU defense policies."
Dr. Elham Rashidi, an international affairs expert, told our reporter:
"Although this decision may seem symbolic, it signals a strategic shift in Europe. If more countries follow this path, we’ll witness a shift in the balance of power within NATO."
She added:
"Europe has been talking about 'defense autonomy' for years, but this is the first time we are seeing practical action in a major agreement."
While global crises — from the war in Ukraine to competition with China — continue, the decision of a European country to halt the purchase of American F-35 fighter jets could significantly impact the future of transatlantic military cooperation.
Although it is still too early to judge the complete cancellation of the deal, even this temporary suspension shows that Europe is no longer the unquestioning partner it once was.
