F-35, between European autonomy and logistical dependence on the United States

On March 24, 2025 a US Air Force F-35, based in the UK, landed at Cameri Air Base to receive maintenance at the hub MRO&U (Maintenance, Repair, Overhaul, and Upgrade) Italian. This is about the first american jet to undergo review in Europe, marking a significant step in logistics and industrial cooperation between the United States and its F-35 program partners.

The MRO&U center in Cameri is funded by Italy and managed by Leonardo SpA, in collaboration with Lockheed Martin and the F-35 Joint Program OfficeThe facility has already carried out maintenance work on Italian, Norwegian and Dutch aircraft, but the arrival of the first American jet confirms the strategic role of the Piedmont base in the network of Global F-35 Support.

The Captain Siegfried Chiandussi, Italian representative at the Joint Program Office, said:
“The Italian investment in this center has been significant. We are certain that it will bear important fruits in terms of security, stability and prosperity for the entire Euro-Mediterranean area.”

Also known as F-35 Euro-Mediterranean Airframe Depot, the hub is located next to the final assembly line (FACO), where several F-35s for Italy and the Netherlands were produced. Right in Cameri, Lockheed Martin manages the most sensitive phases of assembly, such as the application of anti-radar coatings.

Cameri is currently the only site in Europe capable of performing heavy maintenance on the F-35 airframe and is expanding their capabilities in view of the increase in European fleets in the coming years.

Norway Completes F-35 Order, Opens National Center

Just as Cameri consolidates its role, Norway has reached another milestone: it has become the First F-35 partner to complete your official order with the Delivery of the last two F-35As, thus reaching a total of 52 aircraft.

At the same time, it was inaugurated in Rygge a new 5,000 m² national maintenance centre, where activities will be carried out by Kongsberg Aviation Maintenance Services and from theNorwegian Defense Materials Agency.

Previously, intermediate maintenance was entrusted to the Cameri hub. Now Norway will be able to operate autonomously, strengthening its logistics chain and increasing operational availability, as indicated in a official press release.

The Logistics Knot

Since the Trump administration took office, concerns have emerged in Europe about the actual degree of US control over F-35 fleets. Although Lockheed Martin has denied the existence of a hypothetical remote “kill switch”, the operation and maintenance system remains deeply integrated with the U.S. infrastructure.

A sensitive aspect of the F-35 program is the Spare parts management, control of which remains largely in the hands of the United States. According to End of the Moon, advisor to the Norwegian Defense Materials Agency, The components — even those produced domestically — are supplied through centralized international contracts and remain American property until they are installed on the aircraft..

Each country maintains national emergency stockpiles to ensure operational readiness even in crisis situations. Norway has purchased separate spare parts packages to be able to fly autonomously in case of unavailability of the central channels. The same applies to Finland, which purchased 64 F-35s and included a specific clause for the business continuity in case of emergencies.

I Netherlands, which will receive over 50 aircraft, host a Woensdrecht one of three global parts distribution bases. Last year, a court case highlighted how Israel – although not an official partner – also receives spare parts through the Dutch network.

The Netherlands, involved in the development of the programme since 2001, supplies critical components such as frames, wiring, in-flight doors, power supply and radar systems.

Conclusion

The arrival of the first US F-35 in Cameri marks an important step in the Industrial cooperation between Europe and the United States. While the F-35 Program Partner Countries consolidate their autonomous maintenance capabilities, the Global logistics role of the United States remains essential. Waiters, for its part, confirms itself as technological and strategic hub of reference for the presence of F-35s in the Mediterranean.

However, Washington's centralized management of logistics and spare parts continues to raise questions about the real operational autonomy of the countries involved. The balance between interdependence and technological sovereignty remains one of the central issues in the future of the F-35 program in Europe.

Source: https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2025/04/15/f-35-nations-prize-spare-parts-as-us-dismisses-kill-switch-angst/