A senior official from the Netherlands: “You can jailbreak an F-35 just like an iPhone”

The highly complex, closed, and US-dependent software that the F-35 stealth fighter possesses is once again a source of controversy.

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According to The War Zone, last Saturday, February 14, the Dutch Secretary of State for Defense, Gijs Tuinman, revealed something about the F-35 that probably didn't sit well with either its manufacturer, Lockheed Martin, or the White House.

Tuinman, a veteran of the Korps Commandotroepen (KCT), the Royal Netherlands Army's special operations force, made a statement to the BNR broadcaster addressing what would happen to the F-35's software if the United States were to cease being an ally, a concern that has recently been circulating in European foreign ministries given the Trump administration's erratic behavior.

The F-35 relies on the US for its software updates. What would happen if that power withdrew its support for the Netherlands? According to broadcaster BNR, Tuinman was not worried and stated:

"If you still want to upgrade, I'll tell you something I should never say, but I'll do it anyway: you can jailbreak an F-35 just like an iPhone."

Remember that jailbreaking is a process to remove software restrictions from mobile devices with a closed operating system, such as the iPhone or iPad. Jailbreaking allows you to install your own applications on the device and have greater control over it. However, this process voids the manufacturer's warranty. Would the same apply to an F-35?

As we saw here last year, the F-35 has Mission Data Files (MDFs), which are a compilation of the mission data files necessary for the operation of the sensors and other components of the fighter's mission systems. As I mentioned then, the MDFs are processed through ALIS (Autonomous Logistics Information System) and its successor, ODIN (Operational Data Integrated Network),, both based in the United States.

The situation can be explained simply so we understand: the F-35 is a highly advanced piece of technology, and the US provides its operators with support and assistance with the software, processed through these networks. To date, of all the F-35s active in eleven countries, the only F-35s that do not depend on the US for MDF processing are the F-35i Adirs of the Israeli Air Force. This country has a highly advanced defense industry with companies that are global leaders in high technology.

Obviously, if the US were to withdraw support for F-35s from any country, they could continue flying, but their capabilities would be diminished by the inability or technical difficulties to process MDFs without US assistance, as well as by the impossibility of introducing updates and improvements to the aircraft's software.

I don't think Tuinman spoke without reason, but he didn't offer any further details. Could the Netherlands ever reach the level of Israel to "jailbreak" the F-35 and maintain its capabilities on par with other operators of this model? I have serious doubts. However, the Dutch official's statements have opened up a very interesting debate.

The Royal Netherlands Air Force has purchased 58 F-35As, of which 48 have been delivered. Of these fighters, 8 are based at Luke AFB in the US, where they are used for pilot training. The Netherlands is one of the two Tier 2 partners in the F-35 program, along with Italy, so its participation in this weapons system is very significant, which would explain, to some extent, Tuinman's statements.

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Photos: Koninklijke Luchtmacht. F-35A fighter jets of the Royal Netherlands Air Force.