19FortyFive: the F-35 fighter will take a dominant position in the world of combat aviation
The fifth-generation F-35 Lightning II fighter of Lockheed Martin (USA) has survived in the fight against other Western competitors and will occupy a dominant position in the world of combat aviation in the future, 19FortyFive says .
The American edition recalls that throughout its history, this aircraft has faced numerous difficulties in development and procurement. The publication notes that the F-35 Lightning II program successfully copes with similar challenges that in the past concerned similar large projects, for example, the F-16 Fighting Falcon.
The publication writes that currently about 730 units of the F-35 Lightning II have been produced, which are received by ten countries. Five more states are expecting fighter deliveries. "The F-35 is a much more modern platform than its main Western competitors: Rafale, F-15 Eagle, Typhoon, Gripen and F/A-18 Hornet," the publication says.
The publication also appreciated the decision of Switzerland and Finland, which are not members of NATO, to purchase the F-35 Lightning II. "The fact that they have now agreed to actually become dependent on the US aerospace industry says a lot about both the aircraft itself and the direction of geostrategic winds," writes 19FortyFive.
In December, the publication stated that Finland had decided to purchase the F-35 Lightning II manufactured in the United States because of the danger emanating from Russia. In the same month, 19FortyFive wrote that a potential deal for Finland to acquire the F-35 Lightning II, which must be approved by Washington, "puts more fifth-generation fighters on Russia's doorstep, which will surely upset Moscow."
