The F-35 has been a source of controversy for a few years
now. A fifth generation multi-role fighter developed to replace aging (and not
so aging in the case of the F-22) airframes across the DoD, the F-35 seemingly
falls into the trap of trying to please everybody and thus pleasing nobody. A
recent article in Defense News (http://www.defensenews.com/article/20140204/DEFREG03/302040018?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter)
discusses the F-35 and Japan. Japan has been on the verge for a while of officially
re-acquiring its armed forces and upping its capability in the face of a perceived
Chinese threat. In a recent interview the PM, Abe, noted that the relationship
between China and Japan mirrors that of the UK and Germany on the eve of the
First World War, an interesting statement as the centennial dawns. Originally I
saw signs that the Japanese intended to make the F-35 a cornerstone of a new
stance on security. This stance would assume more of a partnership role with
the US without actually displacing it in the East Asian power structure. The
SDF likes, loves actually, next generation western weapons systems; the F-35 is
just one example.
The point here is that if the JSF is going so far
over-budget for the SDF that they are starting to have second thoughts while cutting
their order, what does this mean for the US? The Marines already have one
operational squadron with the special VTOL capability. Delivery is starting to
commence with the Navy and Air Force. And questions already exist about the
ability of the F-35 to improve upon existing Super Hornet and Raptor airframes.
One engine vs. two, shorter range and smaller payload; that’s just the beginning
of the capability issues many have raised against the JSF. Canada is also
having second thoughts and with a renewed emphasis on Arctic security those
basic capability issues may limit the ability of the RCAF to design effective
mission profiles for their northern territory.
I saw the JSF acquisition as a symbol of Japanese resurgence
in the East Asian power structure. But is it really? It’s obviously more advanced
than anything the Chinese possess. Perhaps that’s the problem, the dazzlingly advanced
technology is not enough to offset the cost and the fact that the SDF could
operate with something like the Eurofighter or the Gripen. But the alliance
with the US pretty much ensures that that will not happen, barring some unforeseen
circumstance. The F-35, for all its issues, is going to come. I only wonder
what is on the drawing board to replace it.
