Dutch Defence Secretary Boldly Claims F-35 Software Could Be 'Jailbroken'

The Dutch Defence Secretary just dropped a line that set the internet ablaze: the F‑35 fighter jet could be “jailbroken.” In an interview with BNR Nieuwsradio, Gijs Tuinman compared modifying the jet’s software to hacking an iPhone—cue chaos. The comment section instantly split into camps: the memers (“He installed LineageOS on a jet?”), the legal eagles (“Isn’t blurting out military secrets, you know, illegal?”), and the sovereignty hawks insisting Europe needs control if Washington ever cuts updates or blocks mission data files—those are the jet’s crucial digital ‘playbooks.’

Underneath the jokes, a tug‑of‑war raged: is this realistic contingency or political theater? Tech‑minded users argued that with physical access and so many contractors, something could be tweaked—though with eight‑million‑plus lines of code, good luck. Others warned that “jailbreaking” a frontline jet is like modding your phone… except now the warranty is global security. One commenter claimed some operators already get VIP treatment with their own maintenance and electronic‑warfare layers, fueling speculation that control isn’t one‑size‑fits‑all. Meanwhile, analysts reminded everyone there’s likely no sci‑fi “kill switch,” but reliance on U.S. labs at Eglin Air Force Base for software and updates keeps allies on a short leash. Translation: no one’s bricking planes mid‑fight, but if politics sour, Europe may be stuck waiting for downloads from abroad. The internet’s verdict? Half “hold my beer,” half “absolutely do not try this at home.”