Monday, December 5, 2022

What Was This F-35 Fighter Purchase Delay Really All About?

 Large amount of criticism dumped on the handling of the German Defense Ministry....in arranging the purchase of the F-35 fighter (to be 35 purchased....replacing the Tornado aircraft).

So this is the end-point.  The US refused to hand over key information about facility enhancements required for the use of the F-35....until a purchase order was accomplished.  

Week, after week....the purchase order was delayed....because the Germans wanted to have an idea of how much the infrastructure situation at Buchel (the base for the fighters) would cost.

As silly as it sounds....this was the delay mechanism.

The calendar now....that the purchase is confirmed?  Eight F-35s will arrive by the end of 2026.  Even at this point, no one is sure that the construction work required....will be done by the arrival date.  

A big deal?  In the 1970s/1980s.....construction projects were drawn up and accomplished without a lot of BS.  In the past 20 years.....construction projects in Germany have shown remarkable non-accomplishment.  

If I were a betting person....I'd assume that this is going to be a major headline problem for the Defense Minister in 2026.  

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