Quote:
Originally Posted by Skybird
Whatever the technological specifications are, they need to skip the F-35 and build a much cheaper airplane.
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Building a "cheaper airplane" means continuing the production of current 4th gen planes, but these planes were already obsolescent during the Kosovo op in 99. In Kosovo, the Serbians showed what you could do with smart tactics. They did not shoot down too many planes, but they forced NATO planes to fly at high altitudes and away from suspected SAM/AAA nests. More importantly, the Serbian Army, which was the main target, had almost complete freedom of movement and suffered only light casualties. No doubt the Russians were behind the new tactics. Since then, air defences have only improved.
Russia and China are currently spending billions of dollars to upgrade their air forces and are developping their own 5th generation planes, the Russian PAK FA and the Chinese J-20. I hope no one is still under the impression that the US has a huge technological edge over Russia and China? The gap is narrowing rapidly and could be gone in as little as 5 years if the US stops funding new technology.
The risk is not just a war with Russia and China, but since both are major arms exporter, whatever they build will eventually be sold to other nations. Last month, the IAF destroyed a shipment of SA-17 on their way to Hezbollah. If they are getting the best Russian SAMs on the market, you can be sure every tinpot dictator already has them.
As to saving money, I would think the experiences of the 1920-1930s would show that a strong defence is a lot cheaper in the long run than any war.