3 ms·
Is it better for the prospect of peace if the U.S. and its adversaries all have large fleets of cheap warplanes or small fleets of expensive ones? I would argue
by qzw 6y ago
Is it better for the prospect of peace if the U.S. and its adversaries all have large fleets of cheap warplanes or small fleets of expensive ones? I would argue that the F-35 is not only very expensive for the U.S., but has actually increased the cost of fielding fighter jets (as well as air defense systems) for the entire world. And therefore it has made it more expensive to fight a war for every country. Now ask yourself would you rather live in a world where the cost of wars is lower or higher?
- mathgorges 6y agoThis is an interesting point, but I'm not sure I follow. I get how the F-35 has raised the cost of air war for the NATO countries which have bought into the F-35 program. But how has the F-35 program raised the cost of air war for other countries?
- qzw 6y agoRussia, China, India, Pakistan, and several other countries all have 5th gen/stealth fighters under development. Most at least look to have been heavily “inspired” by the F-35/F-22. These new fighters are all quite costly for their respective countries. It’s basically the international military version of “keeping up with the Joneses”.