To clarify my question, the article speaks about 10+ years of intense effort to certify F35, which probably means more than just new safety protocols or a mounting mechanism.

Further, it says that F35 is the first nuclear capable Gen 5 fighter ever. If it means what I think it does, neither China nor Russia have figured a way to put nukes on their fifth gen fighters, and those guys are not known for being overly cautious when they are behind in arms race.