"...the IAF would need no more than 80 such aircraft. The Lavi program had been based on a production run of 120 aircraft. Now that was something all ministers

"...the IAF would need no more than 80 such aircraft. The Lavi program had been based on a production run of 120 aircraft. Now that was something all ministers could understand. You did not need a calculator to conclude that this drastic reduction would double or triple the cost of each Lavi..." Um, what? The projected cost for 120 was US$11 million, according to Wikipedia. So, a 120-unit fleet would be US$1320 million. If you make them all and then scrap 40 of them, even assuming no usable parts or other efficiencies out of that reduction. that total cost of $1,320M amortized over 80 units means $16.5M each -- only a 50% increase per deployed unit. Not triple. Not double. Just 150%, worst case. You did not need a calculator to conclude... Actually, the author apparently could sure use one.