Ex-RAF commander rules out idea of Trump flicking kill switch on allies' F-35 jets
Some allies are pulling out of the F-35 programme, fearing any possible breakdown in relations with the Trump administration could lead to the US using a "kill switch".
The concern is that the United States could either shut down or limit the effectiveness of its F-35 Lightning jets.
But retired Air Marshal Greg Bagwell argues that's not the case – while also suggesting the RAF should look closer to home to fulfil its operational needs.
"There is no switch sat under the president's desk, or under the president of Lockheed Martin's for that matter, that can flick and suddenly all our aircraft just shut down. That really isn't the case," he explained.
"But we're highly reliant on the supply chain, the suppliers and the national permissions that sometimes they go along with that continue to support the aircraft.
"So if any one particular country decided to either go slow or even stop providing certain aspects, whether that be software updates or spares, then in theory you can kill it slowly.
"So it is still an issue, and it's one that certainly European countries will be putting their minds to, but it's not an instantaneous kill switch as some people might suggest."
Air Mshl Bagley also said it would be almost impossible for the UK and other nations to just stop using American equipment.
He said Britain already uses a lot of American equipment, not just the F-35, and pointed out that US companies were involved in elements of many defence systems
"So the idea that you suddenly sever ties with one particular supplier is just not going to happen," he said.
"I think what is more likely to happen is people will now realise that – and we've always known it.
"We've always said that sovereignty is important for your own national defence. If you can provide it in-house, it means you're not waiting in a queue with a bunch of other people."
Air Mshl Bagwell said there was a good case for extending the life of the Typhoon.
"The temptation is there for a number of reasons," he said. "One is the latest tranche, tranche four, is the most advanced version of Typhoon out there. It is a very, very good aeroplane.
"Yes, it's Generation 4 – I would argue 4+, or some have even said 4.9 – so it doesn't quite have some of the things that the F-35 has.
"It doesn't have the stealth characteristics. That's probably the major difference.
"But it's got the legs and the performance that the F-35 doesn't and can already carry our most modern weapons, whereas the F-35 can't.
"And the temptation, of course, is that also buying in Europe and the UK as well, where they're manufactured... brings money back into the country.
"It builds aircraft and keeps the workforce going in the UK that ultimately then can be reemployed on the Tempest programme."
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