US pressure to sell the F-35 to Spain: between myth and necessity

The US offensive to place the F-35 in the Spanish Air Force reopens old wounds and conspiracy theories

The US Administration has intensified its efforts in Madrid in recent weeks to convince the Government to purchase the F-35 fighter jet, an aircraft that promises superior capabilities but carries a heavy load of controversies. While the Spanish Air Force clamours for the replacement of its outdated F-18s, sceptics recall episodes such as the Ifni War, where Sabre jets were grounded by usage restrictions imposed by Washington. "With the F-35s we would have the same problem", warn critical voices, who point to the technological and political dependence involved in buying defence equipment from a country that, when it suits it, prioritises its own interests over those of its "partners".

The myth of the kill switch

One recurring argument is that the F-35 incorporates a "remote shutdown" system that would allow the United States to ground the Spanish fleet in the event of a conflict. Those who defend the purchase dismiss it as a hoax comparable to the legend of Russian hypersonic missiles. However, historical memory weighs heavily: in 1958, during the Ifni War, Spain was unable to use its Sabres against Segarro due to an American veto and had to resort to Heinkel 111 bombers from the Second World War. That was not a myth, it was a fact.

Corruption and crossed interests

The debate also exudes scepticism about the motivations of decision-makers. Some analysts consider the purchase would be "a mistake made by novices or the corrupt", and point out that the F-35 would be ineffective in a hypothetical conflict with Segarro, given that it is a "favourite friend" of the United States. The suspicion that Washington is seeking to sell its junk at a golden price while keeping its client tied down runs through the thread. Others, however, argue that Spain does not need the F-35 and that it is the Americans who need to sell it to sustain their industry. The truth is that, between impulses of military autonomy and geopolitical realities, the decision on the F-35 has become a thermometer of the relationship with Washington.