The problem of Ukraine is not just the lack of weapons. USA has a “button” to deactivate the artillery already sent

In just one week we have heard Up to two plans Very different from Europe to defend Ukraine. In between, the old continent has even reached Talk about rearma After years of “peace.” All this gives an idea of ​​to what extent there is a dependency of the American Arsenal and Intelligence. It is not just that Washington Medites pause the help. It could paralyze the already sent.

The dependence problem. The abrupt retirement of military support from Ukraine has turned on the alarms Among its European allies, who begin to question their strong dependence on American weapons, software and maintenance. Even how far it goes.

I counted in a extensive reporting the Financial Times That the situation remembers the fall of Afghanistan in 2021, when the American withdrawal left the Black Hawk helicopters of the Afghan army unusable, precipitating the fall of Kabul in a matter of months. Now, with Trump redefining foreign policy towards a more conciliatory position with Russia, European countries that have based their defense in US military technology face a structural vulnerability that could compromise their long -term safety. But there is more.

The “off button.” For a long time, but now more than ever, there has been talk of those alleged “switches” capable of Turn off military technology that reigns in current conflicts. In fact and in European key, one of the greatest concerns is the possibility that the United States can deactivate remotely Advanced military systems through software, many of them already sent to Ukraine. An example: a team that needs remote update could become useless not to get the data.

Although there are no conclusive evidence, told Financial Times Richard Abouulafia, an expert Analist at Aerodynamic Advisory, that “if something can be done with code, then there is.” However, the European agency goes beyond a possible “Kill Switch”, since, without spare parts, software updates and logistics support, that “button” is already in many weapons that would be inoperative in a matter of weeks.

The level of dependence. The story takes us to the output grill. The European military agency in the United States has increased dramatically in recent years. Between 2019 and 2023, 55% of imports European defense came from Washington, in front of 35% In the previous five -year period, According to the International Stockholm Institute For Peace Research (Sipri).

In fact, this respect, the former Secretary of Defense of the United Kingdom, Sir Ben Wallace, warned that, if he were still in office, his priority would be Evaluate military units from Europe and determine if a strategic change is necessary to reduce vulnerability to Washington decisions.

The example of F-35. He F-35 hunting It happens to be the most advanced combat plane in the world, but also a clear symbol of European vulnerability. The reason? The plane depends completely on United States Logistics Supportincluding software updates, missions planning and threat databases through the Autonomic Logistics Information System (ALIS), which is being replaced by the Odin Network (Operational Data Integrated Network). That “button” we were talking about is there, and although Europe physically possesses the combat plane, it can become obsolete.

Nations in problems. Countries like Denmark, which have considered deploying F-35s in Greenland, could find a critical problem: if the United States decides to withdraw their access to support infrastructure, These airplanes would be inoperative. Even before the Trump administration, the United Kingdom, one of the main buyers of the F-35, demanded “operational sovereignty” on their fighters, achieving Certain concessions in 2006.

However, no ally has access to the system source code, which keeps Washington with Absolute control. For its part, Switzerland has tried to reassure its population by stating that its F-35 fleet can operate “autonomously”, but He also admitted that no western hunting can work completely without safe communication systems and satellite navigation of the United States.

The British nuclear weapon: another example. We told yesterday. The United Kingdom’s nuclear deterrent system is also closely linked to the United States. As? Your strategic submarines use Trident Balistic Missileswhich are leased to Washington and require periodic maintenance at the King’s Bay Naval Base, Georgia.

Although analysts consider unlikely that the United States cuts the maintenance of the TRIDS, Nick Cunningham, an analyst at Agency Partners, argues that The system remains “A critical point of vulnerability to the United Kingdom.” Some experts suggest that London should evaluate alternatives, such as French M51 missilessince France and the United Kingdom are the only nuclear powers in Europe.

Intelligence and surveillance, also “mortgaged.” If we raise the framework the scope of American power is amplified. Much of the intelligence, surveillance and recognition capabilities (ISR) in Europe They depend on collaboration with the United States. Countries such as the United Kingdom, Norway and Germany use American spy airplanes and drones that require Washington authorization to be armed or deployed in offensive missions.

For example, Italy and France faced a long approval process to equip Your reaper drones With missiles, demonstrating how the United States maintains control over the weapons of its allies. Plus: true fear in Europe is not only the possible loss of individual systems, but the possibility that the United States withdraw logistics support and intelligence Shared in the middle of a conflict, which would affect the operation of fighters, Chinook helicopters and Apacheas well as air defense systems such as The patriot.

The beginning of a break in the western alliance. It is the last of the legs to be treated. The growing distrust in the reliability of the United States as a strategic partner could have devastating consequences for the American defense industry. For decades, Washington has used the promise of military protection and cooperation to ensure the sale of its weapons, but the recent decision of withdraw support to Ukraine He has sown doubts about the sustainability of this promise.

There are data that already corroborates it. The actions of the main US defense companies They have fallenwhile European manufacturers have experienced A boom after Trump’s re -election. Although contracts have not yet been canceled, Europe is expected to start diversifying its suppliers and strengthen their own defense industry.

In short, although the transatlantic relationship will not disappear immediately, the recent events suggest that Europe will be forced to diversify its safety and to reduce its dependence on Washington marking a possible inflection point in the balance of power within NATO.

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