And be able to fight to a certain degree as well. One must remember that there is always a level of leeway given by the seller to allow the system to still be kept going lest things get better and there is another opportunity to make a few bucks or so.
But as feared with this subject, a whole range of speculations arises.
I suppose it has a lot to do with the third world environment in terms of computer systems. We have been too used to piracy. So the idea that a software is locked or with Digital Rights always comes with the idea that it can eventually be "cracked".
What has to be kept in mind is that unlike say your illegal copies of Windows which eventually have some Russian or Asian fellow coming up with an "activator", military grade software is MUCH.. MUCH.. MUCH more robust and with much harder encryption lockouts. If such a lockout was to be cracked.. could it be done? Possibly.. the Chinese could pitch in with a supercomputer or so. But that is just one view of looking at it. Chances are, it cannot be done as simply as that.
Best is to not worry our heads about it. The customer of the system took a concious and probably well thought out decision to purchase the aircraft. A decision that was possibly taken with a tacit assurance that at least with regards to the foe in the east, there would be no hindrances or disabling of systems.