Dutch Secretary of Defense threatens to 'jailbreak' nation's F-35 jet fighters — says it's just like jailbreaking an iPhone, in response to questions over software independence
Source: Tom’s Hardware
Dutch Secretary of Defense hints at possible “jailbreak” of F‑35 software
Dutch Secretary of Defense Gijs Tuinman suggested that a third party could modify the operating system of the Netherlands’ F‑35 Lightning II fighters. He made the comment during an interview with BNR Nieuwsradio when asked whether the EU could change the jet’s software without U.S. approval. Tuinman said it was technically possible but declined to provide further details. The remark was reported by Clash Report.
“I’m going to say something I should never say, but I’ll do it anyway. Just like your iPhone, you can jailbreak an F‑35. I won’t say more about it.”
— Gijs Tuinman, interview with BNR Nieuwsradio
A tweet quoting the interview captured the headline:
“Dutch Defence Minister Gijs Tuinman hints that software independence is possible for F‑35 jets. He literally said you can ‘jailbreak’ an F‑35.” – February 15 2026
Context of US‑Europe relations
The United States has not threatened to withhold support for the F‑35 program, but several European nations are uneasy about their reliance on American technology. Rumors have circulated about a potential “kill switch” embedded in the aircraft, though officials have denied its existence. Even without such a mechanism, the U.S. controls the cloud infrastructure that delivers software updates, logistics data, and the “Mission Data Files” that enable threat‑recognition capabilities. Consequently, the United States could effectively ground a nation’s F‑35 fleet by denying access to this network.
Technical and operational considerations
The Royal Netherlands Air and Space Force depends exclusively on the F‑35 for its fighter‑jet capability. This dependence raises the prospect of seeking software modifications that would allow continued operation should the United States cut off support. However, the F‑35’s software is extraordinarily complex:
- Over 8 million lines of code.
- Heavily encrypted and protected against unauthorized changes.
- Integrated with a global supply chain that provides thousands of parts and services, most of which originate in the United States.
Because of these factors, any attempt to “jailbreak” the aircraft would be far more intricate than modifying a consumer device such as an iPhone.
Risks and challenges
Modifying the F‑35 outside of official channels carries significant risks:
- Safety – Incorrect changes could compromise flight safety, endangering pilots and ground personnel.
- Cost – Errors may result in costly repairs or the loss of expensive aircraft.
- Legal – Unauthorized alterations could violate export‑control regulations and international agreements.
- Technical feasibility – The encrypted, mission‑critical nature of the software makes it resistant to casual tampering; unlike a Windows registry, there is no simple interface for making changes.
