“I think it’s time to tell the military-industrial complex they cannot get everything they want,” said Sen. Bernie Sanders. “It’s time to pay attention to the needs of working families.”
“I think it’s time to tell the military-industrial complex they cannot get everything they want,” said Sen. Bernie Sanders. “It’s time to pay attention to the needs of working families.”
Not only is military budget exhorbitant, it’s also spending on expensive useless/troubled projects. F35s, ships that get scrapped 5 years after built, ships that can’t get out of repair docks. Military complex is just good at getting government to hand them money and less good at making stuff, and no politician cares.
F35 has actually turned into a massive success. Unlike the Zumwalt and catamaran LCS ships.
F35s still have low flight times, afaik. Success based on Israel strike on Iran, is perhaps coping, because supposed Israel plans were for multiple strikes and they only conducted one wave due to not actually overcoming air defenses. It is not at all clear what the case for calling it a success is.
Exports (sales have improved over time) and technological superiority over near peer foes mainly I would say. Russia still has no 5th gen jet. China doesn’t either as far as I know. NATO now got hundreds.
SU-57 and J-20 are 5th gen. I get the feeling that Su57 are as fragile as F35s, and not workhorses in Ukraine. For 1/3 the cost, 2 or 3 4th gen fighters would seem better. Though Su57 costs under 1/2 to 1/3 that of F35. I’m not an expert. AFAIU, Russia is also focusing on 5th gen production instead of 4th gen.
The capability of 5th gen seems to be to try to take out air defenses. Lockheed/IDF PR is not a reliable source of capability, but Russia not using them all the time is also an indication of deficit. Export success is simply a sign of colonial tributes rather than genuine validation.