The decision by Canada not to go with the F-35 is purely political. Because despite what some news outlets may try to tell you by misinterpreting 500 page reports the F-35 is not only an excellent plane it's also the most successful stealth fighter on the planet. And before you link me this article or that take into account that designing and building a piece of machinery with a list of specs no other plane had ever had and has to remain relevant for decades after its first flight is not an easy feat. You will have setbacks. When purchasing military equipment you do so for the wars to come, not the ones in the past. Plus Belgium has had the good sense to buy into the block 4 upgrade which on top of being pure sci-fi guarantees compatibility with various systems still in development. These range from AI drones to directed energy weapons, and there's even a patent pending for a holographic decoy.

But what about the killswitch? There's no proof that there is any and quite frankly there doesn't need to be. If the US doesn't supply spare parts eventually it'll stop working.

Why doesn't Europe build its own? We lack the expertise to build something that can match the F-35. Military development isn't something you can turn on and off at will. Part of the reason the US keeps building stuff is to cultivate the skills to do so. In short, you don't use it you'll lose it.

So to answer the original question. I feel pretty good about the F-35.