Simple economics of keeping the defense industry employed when they're not producing the equipment you need and doing the R&D for future needs. And you don't ju

Simple economics of keeping the defense industry employed when they're not producing the equipment you need and doing the R&D for future needs. And you don't just want them on a retainer as workers' skills will lapse. Also the jets sold overseas are generally "export" quality and have downgraded features or require embedded expertise to maintain.