The F-35 of America is stealthy to combat but illuminates the radar in the Trump trade war

The last return of the flame came after the 39% price of Trump on Switzerland entered into force Thursday, which prompted the legislators there to demand that the government cancel its order of $ 9.1 billion for the Lockheed Martin Jet.

“A country that throws us in trade stones should not get a gift,” said a Swiss politician, according to Bloomberg.

In 2022, Switzerland finalized a contract of 36 F-35 to replace its fleets of Hornets F / A-18 and Tigers F-5. At the time, it was at a price of $ 6.25 billion, but the costs have since increased, due in part to inflation. This created friction between the United States and Switzerland long before the recent price row.

Climbing on the F-35 agreement, however, comes only a few days after Spain has excluded the purchase of the F-35, saying that it would rather buy the less advanced Eurofighter or the future combat air system, which is still in development as a joint program between France, Germany and Spain. In June, Trump criticized Spain for refusing to engage on the objective of expenditure on the defense of NATO of 5% of GDP by 2035.

And earlier this year, Portugal and Canada, also NATO allies, expressed their second reflection on the purchase of the F-35 in doubts about American security commitment and imminent rates.

“The recent American position in the context of NATO and the international geostrategic dimension, makes us think what the best options are, because the predictability of our allies is a factor with which we must count,” said Nuno Melo, the Minister of Defense of Portugal in March.

Canada also said in March that it was considering other fighter planes as political momentum was spreading to conclude an agreement of $ 13 billion for 88 F-35 which was signed in 2023. Although Canada has committed money for its first 16 planes, it could turn to European planes after accepting this share of F-35S.

But Thursday, sources said Reuters The fact that Canadian Defense officials have argued sharply to buy the 88 F-35s, while stopping at less than an official recommendation.

The Pentagon F-35 joint office did not immediately respond to a request for comments. Lockheed said: “Foreign military sales are government transactions to government, and this affair is better discussed by American or countries.”

Other allies increase orders F-35

Admittedly, orders from Switzerland are small compared to the Global F-35 activity of Lockheed. Hundreds of F-35 are already used in the American army and among the best allies in the world. During its production cycle, the Pentagon plans to buy approximately 2,400 F-35 for Air Force, the Navy and the Marine Corps, to replace aging and not key fighters.

JPMorgan estimated that the F-35 will represent 25% of Lockheed sales this year. In the second quarter, the company’s aeronautical sales, which include fighter planes such as the F-35, increased by 2% compared to a year ago and represented 41% of total sales.

Meanwhile, other countries have recently added their orders, including 12 others from the United Kingdom, 11 others from Belgium, and at least 10 others from Denmark, said Lockheed.

More could be on the way, because the American trade agreement last month calls for the European Union to buy “large quantities” of American weapons.

The Pentagon first awarded the Lockheed the F-35 contract in 2001, and the program was a perennial punching bag due to cost overruns, delays and its enormous price. After including spending to develop, manufacture, exploit and maintain its possible F-35 fleet during the fighter’s total lifespan, the Defense Ministry estimates that the program will cost $ 1.8 Billion of dollars.

But while the Pentagon and Boeing develop the new generation F-47 fighter F-47, which will also fly alongside autonomous drone planes, the F-35 should form the backbone of the American hunting fleet for decades.

For the moment, the F-35 remains the most advanced fighter currently available for the American allies. He has also proven himself in real combat missions, more recently by the Air Force of Israel against the targets in Iran.

In February, JPMorgan analysts maintained that the F-35 is a critical capacity for the United States and its allies.

“For all criticisms, however, the F-35 still offers significant capacities in a relatively The affordable way and that is why she continues to do well in international competitions, “they wrote in a note.” Unmanned capacities deserve a continuous investment, but they are far from being able to replace the F-35 and may not be for a while. “”