15 other nations have procured F-35 yet. That’s quite a testimony of its prowess.
Should USA add another feather in its crown? Maybe.
We should not give it to any wrong nation. It could be Turkey or it could be Pakistan. These nations will get our patented technology which is worth lot more than 85 million USDs.
Countering the offers from rival nations like, France or Russia is one thing. But not making the technology available to rogue nations should be of utmost importance. F-35 means victory. We cannot give it to a bargaining nation. We need absolute loyalty.
Technology of F-35 can be and will be updated over the period of its life, whether the nation needs it or not. That’s the US credibility.
Then why not choose the partner very carefully.
India is one such nation, that can develop their own stealth technology, so we are not at a bigger risk of losing our hard earned one. India can make their own Air to Air missiles, which USA will have to program for their weight and ignition time. But the advantage the India will get is the ability to fire their much feared missiles at a pin point accuracy, even in the presence of the most advanced radars.
They need about 200 of them in the near future.
We can give them in lieu of their missile technology which USA can procure in thousands. Let’s put India on the map of defense partners that can give us real advantage in terms of cost, personnel and technology.