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Canada reconsidering F-35 purchase amid tensions with Washington, says minister (www.cbc.ca)

submitted 8 months ago* (last edited 8 months ago) by Timbits@lemmy.ca to c/world@quokk.au

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Canada is actively looking at potential alternatives to the U.S-built F-35 stealth fighter and will hold conversations with rival aircraft makers, Defence Minister Bill Blair said late Friday, just hours after being reappointed to the post as part of Prime Minister Mark Carney's new cabinet.

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[–] PerogiBoi@lemmy.ca 6 points 8 months ago (5 children)

Americans will activate the kill switch on F-35s, along with all of their allies. US technology should not be trusted.

[–] oce@jlai.lu 12 points 8 months ago* (last edited 8 months ago) (4 children)

According to the subject experts I've heard on French news, there is no kill switch to immediately lock the engines or weapons. But, they can lock the software maintenance that is required at least one month and the flight planning software because both are centralized in the US, effectively crippling the planes.

Edit: detailed article https://theaviationist.com/2025/03/10/f-35-kill-switch-myth/

[–] magnetosphere@fedia.io 6 points 8 months ago (2 children)

So instead of some cartoonish “kill switch” that instantly bricks the plane, the U.S. can simply stop updating and supporting them… and the only thing stopping them from doing so is words on paper.

If I was Canada, I’d go for the Gripen.

[–] SARGE@startrek.website 1 points 8 months ago

the only thing stopping them from doing so is words on paper.

I mean, ultimately, that's all that any contract is.

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