European nations and Canada are “pushing away” from the F-35, motivated by a desire for “strategic autonomy” and political friction with the Trump administration
Spain officially canceled its F-35 purchase in August 2025, opting for European-built alternatives. Switzerland is now also reviewing its 36-jet deal after being hit with a “shocking” $1.3 billion price hike and new 39% U.S. tariffs, and recent reports suggest that Portugal has not opted to purchase the U.S. jets
Instead of the F-35, they are increasingly looking to European alternatives, such as the Eurofighter Typhoon and the Future Combat Air System (FCAS).
Canada’s 88-jet deal is also in “limbo,” as PM Mark Carney, angered by Trump’s “51st state” comments and trade disputes, ordered a review of the 72 un-committed jets
Technological and industrial sovereignty are significant reasons why some countries are opting not to purchase the F-35. Some European nations prioritize developing their own defense industries and technological bases. Buying American-made F-35s would make them dependent on US supply chains and could suppress the development of their own next-generation aircraft programs. ...

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[–] decipher_jeanne@lemmy.blahaj.zone 3 points 5 days ago (1 children)

No other aircraft can do it as of now. A potential VSTOL derivative of the Tempest?

The royal navy doesn't even have the aircrafts for its 2 carriers. The entire UK military is notoriously underfunded even in critical aspects like SSBN. Not likely to fund a new aircraft.

Italy and Japan both already have their F-35Bs for their carriers. It's hard to see them ditch multi billion investments.

Korea might get a STVOL Carrier eventually but they are involved with lockeed on other projects, and operate F-35A already. so they are likely to get F-35B as well.

I mean outside of Spain I don't see who needs an F-35B alternative. Spain lacks a proper aviation industry but maybe they could keep on getting upgrade packages for their Harrier II for a few more decades. Who knows? Maybe in 20 years strategic alliances will have shifted and Chinese airframes will be on the table.

[–] SaveTheTuaHawk@lemmy.ca 2 points 3 days ago (1 children)

People who criticize lack of military spending don't get math.

You want a well funded military? Easy, drive the country into $38T debt and take all the tax money for it while letting people starve or die from lack of health care. So you end up defending a sick shit hole country.

[–] decipher_jeanne@lemmy.blahaj.zone 1 points 3 days ago* (last edited 3 days ago)

Sure I agree with that. It's a big part of why the USSR failed bloated military spending while the people struggle to eat. Most authoritarian government for that matter.

Here, tho, I am speaking through the lens of the country's own ambition. The UK want to play big boy super power with two carriers. Okay. Then if that's the case not allocating enough budget to buy 2 carriers worth of aircraft means that :

They wasted billions making a 2nd carrier for nothing.
They don't have the budget for their ambitions.

But I was not even arguing at any point in here to raise military budgets. I'm brainstorming who could need a F-35B alternative.