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It doesn't really matter how effective it is in combat. The project is a wealth transfer first, and a "job creator" second. The only foreign purchases will be e
by lawnchair_larry 11y ago
It doesn't really matter how effective it is in combat. The project is a wealth transfer first, and a "job creator" second. The only foreign purchases will be either from countries that the US bullied into making some orders, or countries that receive "aid money" from the US, much of which is disbursed in the form of de facto gift cards for the military contractors who are too big to fail, and too friendly with well-connected people in the public sector.
Edit: See grecy's comment for a perfect example. They're a vehicle to siphon taxpayer dollars, not a vehicle to fight wars.
- WalterBright 11y agoReminds me of the super battleships built prior to WW2. Too expensive to risk in combat, and highly vulnerable to cheap stringbag airplanes.
- tim333 11y agoI think the Brits have a military need as they need as the Navy's aircraft carriers can only take short takeoff aircraft, the Harrier is no more and they need something to stop the Argie's taking the Malvinas next time they're in the mood.
- jrochkind1 11y agoMost people don't realize that the bulk of U.S. foreign military aid is in the form of required purchases from U.S. defense industry companies. We don't give them money for military goods to spend how they like, we give them... F-35's, maybe. (Although Israel, one of the very largest recipients of U.S. military aid, actually has an exemption to this rule, we actually give them cash they're allowed to spend on their own local military industry. I bet they don't buy any F-35s)
- greedo 11y agoPartially correct, and partially wrong. Israel is allowed to spend around 27% of FMS on their equipment they manufacture; the remainder is to be spent of US equipment. Oh, and the IAF has already contracted to buy the F-35...
- jrochkind1 11y agoThanks for the correction. I thought it was more like 50%, but I think 27% is still 27% higher than anyone else, right? And I'm surprised they're not smart enough to avoid the F-35, but I guess it's just OPM and keeps their benefactor happy.