Not quite. While you think there can be "massive" weapons sales, I suspect that the adjective is optimistic. Some say sell weapons and re-order, while my view is sell only AFTER the readiness has been fully achieved, i.e. sell overage above inventory. Not 'go without until a new delivery.'
As to readiness:
"F-35 aircraft comprise a growing portion of DOD's aviation fleet. DOD currently has 660 F-35s, and plans to procure about 2,500 in total. DOD's projected costs to sustain the F-35 fleet keep increasing —from $1.1 trillion in 2018 to $1.58 trillion in 2023. The F-35's ability to perform its mission has also trended downward between FY 2019 and FY 2023. DOD faces costly maintenance issues for the F-35, such as delays setting up military service depots—facilities to complete the most complex repairs—and inadequate equipment to keep aircraft operational. DOD intends to transition more maintenance responsibilities from contractors to the government, but it doesn't have a plan to achieve this goal."There's lots of work to do towards increased readiness all the while finding cost cutting in other areas."Despite spending billions of dollars annually, the Air Force and Navy have struggled for years to maintain their aircraft due to the age of their fleets, a lack of parts, maintenance delays, and other problems. Of particular concern is that neither service has completed required 'sustainment reviews'—a critical tool to assess performance and help increase readiness throughout an aircraft's life cycle. " [ more ]
Source: Military Readiness GAO., n.d.
"The issue surfaced during a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing on Thursday, where members questioned the Air Force's chief-of-staff nominee about the fifth-generation jet's declining performance metrics. According to recent Government Accountability Office (GAO) reports, the F-35A’s mission-capable rates have fallen between 71% and 51% from 2019 to 2023, while sustainment costs continue to soar. Lockheed Martin, the aircraft's manufacturer, has faced criticism for late deliveries and missing upgrades. The 2026 defense budget under congressional review includes funding for 47 additional F-35s—24 of which are slated for the Air Force.
"Technically, the F-35A’s downtime often stems from supply-chain bottlenecks, with jets grounded while waiting for replacement parts to arrive. This delay reduces available aircraft for training and missions, limiting the Air Force's ability to project airpower effectively."
Source: U.S. Congress Warns Air Force: F-35A Readiness Crisis Threatens Combat Power Aviation News, 10 October 2025
Since you mention the F-35, I don’t think it’s a good aircraft for Europe.
The French Rafale and the Swedish JAS 39 Gripen are far better suited for European needs. They are easier to maintain, significantly less expensive to operate, and their supply chains are based in Europe. Both aircraft excel in maneuverability compared to the F-35, especially in close-range combat.
In a dogfight, the F-35 would struggle against either of these jets.
The F-35 is clearly superior in terms of stealth. However, Europe does not really need a stealth-first strike aircraft. Stealth is most useful for launching surprise attacks and penetrating enemy airspace early in a conflict. It would be ideal for a first strike on a country like Venezuela, for example.
Since Europe has no intention of attacking Russia and is focused on defense against potential Russian aggression, it makes more sense to rely on versatile, multi-role fighters like the Rafale and the JAS 39 Gripen. They are better adapted to defensive operations and, quite simply, they fly better.
Thus, Europe should continue to buy a lot of other stuff from America, but not the F-35.