Danish Defense Committee Chairman Regrets F-35 Purchase Amid U.S. Security Concerns

Copenhagen, Denmark - Rasmus Jarlov, the chairman of Denmark's parliamentary defense committee, expressed regret over the country's procurement of 27 F-35 fighter jets from the United States, citing heightened concerns over security and reliance on American military technology. His comments come amid rising tensions between the U.S. and Denmark, particularly relating to potential territorial disputes over Greenland.

In a social media post on Wednesday, Jarlov, who has served as the defense committee chairman at different times since 2015, voiced significant apprehension about the implications of relying on U.S. military equipment. "As one of the decision-makers behind Denmark's purchase of F-35s, I regret it," he stated, referencing fears that the United States could potentially use the advanced jets as leverage in political negotiations.

Concerns over U.S. Influence and Weapon Access

Jarlov notably raised the possibility that the U.S. could threaten to disable Denmark's F-35s by halting the supply of spare parts, akin to issues faced by Ukraine during a temporary pause in military aid from Washington. "I can easily imagine a situation where the USA will demand Greenland from Denmark and will threaten to deactivate our weapons and let Russia attack us when we refuse," he warned.

In his commentary, he specifically addressed rumors surrounding the F-35's capabilities, which purportedly include a "kill-switch" feature that could allow the U.S. to remotely disable jets it has sold to allied countries. The Pentagon swiftly refuted this claim, stating that the F-35 does not have such a mechanism. However, Jarlov expressed skepticism, stating, "We obviously cannot take your word for it."

Shift in Defense Spending Strategy

Jarlov further asserted that the acquisition of American military hardware poses a broader security risk, arguing that Denmark should seek alternatives in future defense investments. "We will make enormous investments in air defense, fighter jets, artillery, and other weapons in the coming years, and we must avoid American weapons if at all possible," he emphasized, encouraging allied nations to consider similar strategies.

Denmark initially announced its decision to purchase the F-35s in 2016, committing around $3 billion to replace its aging fleet of F-16 Fighting Falcons. So far, Denmark has received 17 of the ordered aircraft.

Comments from Lockheed Martin

In response to Jarlov's statements, a spokesperson for Lockheed Martin highlighted the company's long-standing partnership with the Royal Danish Air Force. They noted that the F-35 program has successfully completed over one million flight hours across multiple nations and expressed their commitment to supporting Denmark's airpower and security needs.

Increased Scrutiny from Other NATO Allies

Denmark is not alone in reevaluating its defense strategies in light of geopolitical tensions related to U.S. defense exports. Leaders in Canada and Portugal have also indicated that they are reconsidering their own military procurement strategies regarding the F-35. Canada's defense minister, Bill Blair, mentioned potential alternatives to the F-35 due to concerns over U.S. trade relations, while Portugal’s outgoing defense minister, Nuno Melo, highlighted the need to take the current geopolitical environment into account when making defense purchase decisions.

U.S.-Denmark Relations Under Scrutiny

The backdrop of these discussions includes ongoing tensions brought on by former President Donald Trump’s controversial interest in buying or annexing Greenland, a strategically valuable territory for both Denmark and the U.S. Danish authorities have consistently rejected any notions of selling Greenland, emphasizing its autonomy and the lack of external threats.

As geopolitical landscapes shift, Jarlov's insights reflect a broader concern among NATO allies regarding reliance on U.S. military technology and the implications of such dependencies in uncertain political climates.

As this situation develops, the State Department and local Danish officials have not yet provided comment on the matter following Jarlov's statements.