Spain has paused plans to acquire US-made F-35 stealth fighter jets, signaling a shift in EU defense strategy toward reduced reliance on American weapons. This decision aligns with broader efforts to strengthen European defense capabilities through increased spending on European industry. The move reflects concerns over foreign control and potential cost overruns, as well as tensions with Washington over defense spending commitments.
The suspension of the F-35 procurement deal comes amid growing frustrations with the United States over its demands for increased defense spending. Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez faced backlash from US President Donald Trump during a recent NATO summit after refusing to meet the bloc’s proposed 5% military spending target. Trump responded with threats of tariffs, highlighting the escalating tensions between the two nations over defense policies. Spain’s decision to allocate 85% of its new €10.5 billion defense plan to European industry has effectively put the US deal on hold, underscoring the EU’s push to limit foreign influence in critical defense sectors. The move aligns with the broader EU militarization drive, aimed at achieving greater defense sovereignty and reducing dependence on foreign suppliers.
The shift in Spain’s defense strategy has significant implications for its military capabilities. While the country has acquired Eurofighters to replace older F-18s, military leaders warn against relying on a single aircraft type, emphasizing the need for diversification. Although the F-35 was considered the most advanced option, the decision to halt the purchase leaves Spain’s Navy without a fixed-wing successor for its AV-8B fleet, which is due to retire by 2030. Spain’s Air Force had also considered the F-35A as a stopgap until the EU’s sixth-generation FCAS fighter becomes operational, which is not expected before 2040. Military leaders have expressed concerns about the potential risks of relying on a single aircraft type, suggesting the need for a more comprehensive approach to modernizing its air force.
The decision is part of a wider trend among EU nations to reassess their defense procurement strategies. Similar doubts have emerged in Germany, while Canada is reviewing its own orders, as several NATO members reconsider their military procurement choices over cost, control, and political pressure. The F-35 deal had reportedly been under discussion, with an order of around 50 jets in the works, but the decision to prioritize European industry has now placed the deal on hold. Critics argue that the deal could have deepened Spain’s dependence on Washington, given the United States’ control over the aircraft’s systems and the rising maintenance costs associated with the F-35 program. Despite these concerns, Spain’s military leaders have acknowledged the challenges of relying on fourth-generation fighters, as expressed by Admiral Teodoro Lopez Calderon, who warned that the country would have to ‘survive with fourth-generation fighters and hope FCAS arrives.’
Spain’s suspension of the F-35 purchase underscores the complex geopolitical dynamics at play in European defense policy. While the United States has sought to maintain its influence over NATO members by encouraging the purchase of American weapons, the EU is increasingly focused on self-sufficiency and reducing its reliance on foreign suppliers. This shift has led to a reassessment of defense contracts and procurement strategies across the bloc, with a focus on ensuring greater control over critical defense systems. The decision in Spain is part of a larger trend, reflecting the EU’s growing emphasis on defense sovereignty and its efforts to build a more independent and self-reliant military capability, even as tensions with Washington continue to shape the landscape of international defense cooperation.