While there are several comparable European alternatives, many countries put their bets on the F-35 a long time ago. It is very much a part of this discussion.

I’m from one of those countries, and I can assure you a lot of people would now have preferred that we went with an EU competitor instead.

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jandrewrogers 3 days ago | parent [-]

What comparable alternative is available today? None of the European companies has a production 5th generation aircraft nor the integrated sensing capabilities. This is what is driving the incredible demand despite misgivings. You can't survive in a near peer combat environment without it.

Countries are buying it because it is the only game in town for certain high-value capabilities, not because they necessarily like the implications of there being a single seller of those capabilities. For better or worse, the US has been flying these for 30 years and has 6th generation aircraft in production. Everyone else is still figuring out their first 5th generation offering.

Closing that gap is a tall order. Either way, European countries need these modern capabilities to have a capable deterrent.

	▲	simonask 2 days ago \| parent \| next [-]
		I'm no expert, but the narrative is that it really depends what you need them for. And keep in mind that joining the jet fighter programme also means joining the development of it, enacting a certain amount of influence through your funding. For example, it is conceivable that a sufficiently upgraded Gripen tailored to our needs would be just as effective (which aren't really dogfighting, as I understand it), and cheaper. Anyway we're all just crossing our fingers that the US is just temporarily insane and will eventually come to its senses. What else can you do.
	▲	monerozcash 3 days ago \| parent \| prev \| next [-]
		> What comparable alternative is available today? You know the answer, but I'll say it anyway. There is no comparable alternative today, and there will not be one in the near future.
	▲	fl7305 2 days ago \| parent \| prev [-]
		> You can't survive in a near peer combat environment without it. How well will the european countries survive with it if the US cuts off access to spare parts, SW maintenance links etc?