Striking claim from the Dutch Minister: The software of the F-35s can be hacked.

Among the world’s most expensive fighters, the F-35 has drawn attention not for its price but for how deeply its operations depend on software. Gijs Tuinman, the Dutch State Secretary for Defense, warned that without timely approval from the United States for essential updates, the jet’s software could become unstable, potentially undermining the aircraft’s reliability in critical missions.

In a discussion about Europe’s defense posture, Tuinman floated the possibility that the Netherlands could pursue an internal path to updates if Washington slows or blocks the process. He suggested that the system’s software could be susceptible to manipulation in a way reminiscent of how consumer devices can be compromised, underscoring the vulnerability of a highly integrated platform that relies on external sign‑offs.

The remarks formed part of a broader conversation about a potential European defense framework that might operate with limited U.S. involvement, and the ongoing dependence of the F-35 on American-developed software during the program’s rollout.

Looking ahead to potential flare-ups with Russia, Tuinman outlined a timetable in which modernization and readiness upgrades would be completed by the end of 2028. He indicated that the Dutch arsenal would be expanded to include additional F-35s, armored vehicles, Tomahawk-capable systems, and artillery as part of those preparations.

When asked how Europe would cope if the United States were to scale back its cooperation, he said the continent would intensify collaboration with nearby allies to develop region‑focused software solutions over the next 18 to 24 months. The goal would be to determine whether Washington would reaffirm its positions and how that would shape joint defense efforts moving forward.

In summary, Tuinman hinted at a stark reality: if the United States does not cooperate on software management, the Netherlands could explore independent routes to safeguard the program. The remarks highlighted the fragility of a system that is tightly bound to a single external supplier and raised questions about Europe’s capacity to maintain autonomous defense capabilities in a rapidly evolving security landscape.