The F-35, designed by the American manufacturer Lockheed Martin, is one of the most efficient combat aircraft in the world. Many European countries have chosen this fighter plane such as the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy and Poland. A choice linked to their membership of NATO. Thanks to this common model, the armies can better cooperate: this is called interoperability, that is to say the ability to share information, maneuvers and technologies between allies to act together more effectively. But since Donald Trump's arrival in power and his regular threats to disengage the United States of NATO, the European partners who have opted for the F-35 are a bit bitter. Back in pictures on the assets and limits of this apparatus which served this Friday, June 13 for the Israeli army to strike Iran.
Industrial interdependence
The F-35 production chain is organized worldwide. It is fragmented between the United States and its various partners who have invested in the program, creating multiple industrial subcontractors. More than 300 suppliers are currently distributed in 11 countries. This dispersion increases manufacturing and delivery times.
Dependence in the United States
The information related to the flights and operation of the F-35 is sent to the lockheed-Martin servers, hosted in the United States, which raises questions relating to the sovereignty of states acquiring F-35. In addition, Washington retains a large technological project management and an indirect right of gaze on the operational employment of aircraft.
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Source: Lemonde