Spain, Switzerland Cancel F-35 Jet Order Over Trump's Europe Policy

Spain and Switzerland have reportedly cancelled plans to purchase U.S.-made F-35 fighter jets, citing political fallout from Donald Trump’s NATO spending demands and growing discomfort with U.S. control over allied military systems.

As per local media, Spain’s Defence Ministry confirmed the move, stating: “The Spanish option consists of the current Eurofighter and the FCAS in the future.” The country will now direct most of its €10.5 billion defense budget increase toward European suppliers. It aims to expand its Eurofighter Typhoon fleet to 115 jets, with 25 new aircraft arriving between 2026 and 2030.

Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez rejected Trump’s call for NATO members to spend 5% of GDP on defense by 2035—more than double the current 2% target—calling it “unreasonable.” He warned against European reliance on U.S. security: “Only Europe will know how to protect Europe.”

Trump responded by calling Spain’s position “very unfair” and hinted at trade penalties, escalating diplomatic tensions.

Switzerland’s alleged withdrawal comes amid U.S. tariffs targeting Swiss exports. Trump imposed a 39% tariff on goods like watches and coffee capsules—the highest among developed nations—after failing to reach a deal with Bern. The 2021 F-35 order for 36 jets, valued at 7.3 billion Swiss francs ($9.1 billion), has since faced intense parliamentary scrutiny.

Green lawmaker Balthasar Glättli said, “A country which throws rocks at us in trade shouldn’t get a present.” Social Democrat co-president Cédric Wermuth called for a referendum to halt the deal. Liberal MP Hans-Peter Portmann questioned the logic of paying more than expected for U.S. jets amid the tariff dispute. “The government should consider a partial or full stop of the contract,” he said, suggesting closer defense ties with European partners.

President Karin Keller-Sutter raised the issue during emergency talks in Washington, while U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said both sides reaffirmed their defense ties.

Switzerland has pledged to procure at least 30% of its arms from Europe and is exploring deeper cooperation with the EU. Its own defense industry remains limited by neutrality laws restricting arms exports to conflict zones.

Mounting Doubts Over F-35 Program

The F-35 is increasingly under scrutiny in Europe due to rising costs, software delays, and reliability issues. A British F-35B was grounded in India after a hydraulic failure forced an emergency landing in Kerala in June. The jet sat exposed on the tarmac for 37 days, guarded by Indian troops and mocked by local media as a “grounded stealth jet in the monsoon.”

Weeks later, a U.S. Navy F-35C crashed near Naval Air Station Lemoore in California. The pilot ejected safely, but investigations continue. These incidents add to a growing list of crashes, engine fires, and logistical delays that have dogged the jet for over a decade.

Analysts say the F-35’s dependence on U.S.-controlled software and logistics raises sovereignty concerns, especially with Trump returning to the political stage.

Spain is instead doubling down on the FCAS—a joint Franco-German-Spanish program aiming to field a sixth-generation fighter by 2040. Despite internal disputes between Dassault, Airbus, and Indra over industrial roles, the program remains central to Europe’s push for defense autonomy.

Canada and Portugal are also reportedly rethinking their involvement in the F-35 program. Ottawa has taken delivery of 16 jets but is reviewing the broader deal due to rising costs, domestic pressure, and uncertainty around future U.S. policy.

Even the Pentagon has reduced its planned F-35 orders, while Lockheed Martin took $1.6 billion in charges earlier this year and faces increasing competition from rival platforms.