This. The original question doesn't make sense, unless rephrased as Why software costs so much compared to not having said software. Edit: and now that I can

This. The original question doesn't make sense, unless rephrased as Why software costs so much compared to not having said software. Edit: and now that I can read the article, DoD says software costs a lot. DoD still pays for software. Supply and demand. If DoD pays said prices, the software is worth that much.