**PARIS** – Dutch Minister of Defence, **Ruben Brekelmans**, stated that partner countries involved in the Lockheed Martin **F-35** program remain committed to the fighter jet, with no indications of a change in the U.S. approach towards the Joint Strike Fighter program. He expressed confidence during a press briefing at the **Paris Defence and Strategy Forum** on **Tuesday**, responding to concerns over the possibility of the U.S. remotely grounding aircraft operated by allied nations.
Brekelmans emphasized the need for operational success in the F-35 program, noting, “I don’t see any signs of the United States backtracking.” Recent discussions among European lawmakers and researchers have raised concerns that the U.S. might restrict allies’ access to their F-35s, particularly given former U.S. President **Donald Trump’s** alignment with Russia and his controversial threats regarding Canada and Greenland.
European F-35 operators rely on U.S. collaboration to prepare essential mission data files and depend on a cloud-based software system hosted by the U.S. for maintenance updates. As of **September 2023**, the Netherlands had received **40 out of 52** ordered F-35s and announced plans to purchase an additional **six jets**, marking the retirement of its F-16 fleet.
Brekelmans reinforced that the F-35 program is interdependent, relying on parts produced by partner countries, supporting claims made by Belgian Minister of Defence **Theo Francken**, who criticized the notion of an F-35 “kill switch” as mere “scaremongering stories.” He argued that halting U.S. parts supply would cripple the entire U.S. defense industry in Europe.
Brekelmans acknowledged the significant role the U.S. plays in the F-35 program while emphasizing the importance of contributions from other nations. He asserted the importance of maintaining a modern air force for NATO and the U.S., noting progress so far among the program’s partners.
In their statement, Lockheed Martin confirmed their commitment to providing comprehensive system infrastructure and data necessary for all F-35 customers. According to **Justin Bronk**, a senior research fellow at the U.K.’s Royal United Services Institute, the capabilities of the F-35 against Russian air defenses are unmatched by other platforms. He remarked on the real dependency but noted that reliance on the U.S. for mission data files is not the primary concern for allied nations.
**Norway** received three additional F-35s this month, increasing their fleet to **49 out of 52** ordered. **Denmark** has 17 of 27 ordered, while **Belgium** received its first F-35 in December 2022, with a total of **34** on order. **Poland** began training on its first F-35s in February. Brekelmans conveyed that the Netherlands views the U.S. as a reliable NATO ally but noted the expectation for European nations to enhance their defense capabilities.
He highlighted that the U.S. expects “burden shifting” rather than burden sharing, stressing the importance of recognizing this reality for security cooperation. Furthermore, he mentioned that the Netherlands is open to discussions about sending troops to Ukraine to ensure peace agreements with Russia, while maintaining that the possibility of a U.S. backstop remains available.
Brekelmans articulated the necessity for a clearly defined mission in Ukraine, supported by robust military capabilities. He appreciated **French President Emmanuel Macron’s** suggestion regarding expanding France’s nuclear deterrent to European allies, stressing the urgency of discussing such matters given geopolitical tensions involving China and Russia.
As part of upcoming budget deliberations, the Dutch government will evaluate increasing defense spending above **2% of GDP**, potentially adding **€10 billion to €12 billion**. The greatest deficits in the Dutch military are in land forces, which will require substantial investment in heavy equipment and weapon systems.
The ongoing conflict in Ukraine has highlighted the necessity for the Dutch Army to sustain operational effectiveness beyond three months, prompting prioritization of investments in logistics, supply chains, and medical equipment, in addition to enhancing air defense systems.
**Defense News** reporter **Stephen Losey** contributed to this report. **Rudy Ruitenberg** serves as the Europe correspondent for Defense News and has previously worked with Bloomberg News, covering technology, commodity markets, and politics.
