Denmark's parliamentary defense committee chairman Rasmus Jarlov expressed deep regret over his country's decision to purchase F-35 fighter jets from the United States, citing growing concerns about American influence and control over military equipment.
"As one of the decision-makers behind Denmark's purchase of F-35s, I regret it," stated Jarlov, a member of the Conservative People's Party, in a social media post on Wednesday. His comments come amid rising tensions between Denmark and the US over Greenland.
The Danish MP raised alarm about potential US leverage through weapons systems like the F-35. While the Pentagon denied rumors about a remote "kill-switch" in the aircraft, Jarlov remained skeptical, noting that the US could effectively ground Denmark's F-35 fleet simply by halting spare parts supply.
Denmark committed approximately $3 billion in 2016 to acquire 27 F-35s, with 17 aircraft delivered so far. The purchase was intended to modernize Denmark's air force by replacing aging F-16 fighters.
Jarlov specifically pointed to concerns about US intentions regarding Greenland, Denmark's autonomous territory. "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.
The chairman's statements reflect growing wariness among US allies about military hardware dependence. Both Portugal and Canada have recently indicated they are reviewing their F-35 procurement plans amid similar concerns about US influence.
"We must avoid American weapons if at all possible," Jarlov declared, encouraging other allies to consider alternatives for their defense needs. His comments highlight an emerging shift in how some NATO allies view their military relationship with the United States.