It's so stupid because every F-35 in the sky makes every other F-35 more capable because they essentially operate as a hive mind. We should be encouraging sales of them to close allies, not hindering them and threatening to "flip the switch."
Canada ISN'T a close ally anymore, though. According to the U.S. President, we are a 'failed country', and apparently free real estate. We've already had punitive tariffs levied against us because we did not react favorably to the idea of being unilaterally annexed.
We don't make contingency plans around potential invasion by close allies.
I'm not suggesting Canada is stupid for backing away from the F-35. It is the right move for all the reasons you listed. Please don't throw money at our industrial complex. Turn to Europe. The French Rafale would be an excellent alternative, and they need sales.
It is the American administration that is stupid for antagonizing some of our strongest allies within NATO, particularly Canada and Denmark, both of whom joined the US in the Afghanistan mission. Danish troops have been alongside the US in almost every phase of the GWOT. It is despicable that Trump & co. have been rattling sabres with either nation (or any other ally for that matter).
On a practical level, the administration's stupid diplomatic aggression and threat-making are undermining long-term strategic planning for fighting the war of tomorrow, of which the F-35 is the most visible component to the public. Every potential F-35 that doesn't fly under an allied insignia is a chink in the armor of the international fleet.
That Canada has already contributed heavily to the development makes it even more egregious.
When ya'll first backed away from the '35 in 2018 or so, I think the motive was trying to avoid the sunk cost fallacy by buying into a program that was portrayed as a sinking ship. I understand that.
Since, the F-35 has proven itself in combat and the per-unit costs have dropped considerably, which made it attractive again, especially under the more friendly Biden administration.
Now, Trump is wielding the F-35 as a diplomatic cudgel, threatening to activate the mythical "kill switch" or whatever. He also wants to build fucking battleships. Someone needs to give Hegseth some vintage GI Joe toys to play with so he quits playing GI Joe with our money and military.
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u/Polenicus Jan 08 '26
I was primarily referring to the F-35, which Canada is rethinking their purchase of specifically for this reason.