Britain’s F-35 fighter jet ambitions have hit turbulence, with orders potentially cut from 138 to 48 amid budget pressures and security concerns. A growing fear: that the US could cripple the jets remotely via software or spares—effectively turning allies into renters of airpower. Trump’s erratic foreign policy and past aid freezes haven’t helped. While the UK’s next-gen Tempest jet offers a sovereign alternative, it won’t be ready until 2035. For now, Britain’s left balancing military needs against American strings and shrinking wallets.
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