Countries across Europe are re-examining their dependence on US weapons and technology, alarmed by US President Donald Trump's administration casting doubt on future transatlantic ties.

German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius will consult with leading generals, ministry experts and procurement officials, the Sueddeutsche Zeitung said.

The focus of the confidential talks would be on US weapons systems which Germany already operates or has ordered.

Germany's armed forces have ordered 35 F-35 fighter planes, but concerns have been raised that Washington could potentially exercise control over the jets.

Experts warn of the risk to spare parts supply, and some worry that a so-called "kill switch" could be embedded in the aircraft, giving Washington the final say over any use.

Carlo Masala, a political scientist at the Bundeswehr University in Munich, told the Sueddeutsche daily that the planes were a possible pressure point, regardless of any kill switch.

"The problem with the F-35 is more data transmission and the issue of spare parts," he said.

"If that's not available, the F-35 loses much of its functionality ... If that's cut off, that's a problem."

- 'Not a great idea' -

Earlier this month, the head of Airbus's defence division, Michael Schoellhorn, said that European militaries should avoid buying US-made weaponry.

"The Danes are seeing right now that this might not be such a great idea, if they ever needed to defend Greenland with their American F-35 jets," he said, referring to Trump's stated designs on the Danish territory.

Announcing a new 150 billion euro ($163 billion) defence fund on Wednesday, the EU said money should only go to firms that can be trusted.

"We have this opportunity to really build up the European defence industry," said Kaja Kallas, the EU's chief diplomat. "In crisis, your military really needs to have free hands."

Nevertheless, achieving greater independence from the United States will be hard.

Oliver Doerre, CEO of Hensoldt, a German defence electronics firm, told reporters this week that collaboration with the Americans for technology was "essential".

There are currently no technical alternatives to the F-35 for carrying plane-born US nuclear warheads stationed in Germany to their targets, he added.

A defence ministry spokesman declined to confirm Pistorius's meeting to the daily.

But he said that F-35 dependence went both ways, since the jet also includes parts made outside the United States.

vbw/fz

Airbus Group