The United States is forcing its partners to buy expensive F-35 fighter jets, but these deals are turning into roulette as only one in three aircraft is ready to perform
The F-35 is a fifth-generation fighter jet that uses stealth technology. As conceived by the US military corporation Lockheed Martin, the aircraft was to revolutionize the arms market. Now, the F-35 is distinguished only by its incredible cost – at least 80 million dollars – and many malfunctions.
According to Ellen Lord, deputy head of procurement and support at the Pentagon, only 36 per cent of all F-35 fighters are actually ready for service. The planes have been found to have engine and airframe problems. In addition, the outer layer of the plating, which provides low visibility, is constantly peeling off.
Experts are now working to bring that figure up to 50%, but the situation is exacerbated by the financial issue: an hour of operation of the F-35 costs $31,000. By comparison, an F-16 costs as little as $7,700 per flight hour.