3 ms·
>> F35 unit price + operation costs came down a lot in the last few years The costs are 18% higher according to the article. That is roughly equivalent to infl
by osigurdson 4y ago
>> F35 unit price + operation costs came down a lot in the last few years
The costs are 18% higher according to the article. That is roughly equivalent to inflation over the same period. Furthermore, debt servicing costs are higher than they were in 2015. Also, we don't have any F-35s right now which is the whole point.
- dirtyid 4y agoI don't see the 18% higher in the AJZ article, but regardless, yeah it's not going a be steal / deal with FX changes or debt servicing costs over past few years. I'm just saying lower unit costs, and lifecycle operating costs somewhat cancels it out + likely getting newish blocks with several arctic operators who can share experience. But all things considered, it's not the worst if CAN wants to maintain an airforce *.There aren't really any other fighter options anymore, at least not for another 10-15 years assumping SKR or JP + EU projects comes along, and it's doubtful they'll be very competitive 5th gen platforms. The fleet of hornets need to be replaced sooner than later, wholesale. * Which TBH, Canada uniquely doesn't, but mid tier NATO country can't not, if only for optics considerations. For me CAN needs to "pay" for US protection anyways, tipping Lockheed to keep RCAF is one way to do it.
- osigurdson 4y agoThis is not about paying for protection. Canada can build a nuclear arsenal in a heartbeat. This is the cheap way to defend yourself against aggressors. This is about being part of NATO. The more nations that we have with similar values, the better.