https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="7⃣" title="Tastenkappe Ziffer 7" aria-label="Emoji: Tastenkappe Ziffer 7">But wouldn& #39;t an F35A purchase kill Tempest? No. Because Tempest will do things that F-35B and F-35A cannot do. An F-35A purchase merely delays Tempest. Given the current lack of cash, this may be a good short-term strategy.
https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="8⃣" title="Tastenkappe Ziffer 8" aria-label="Emoji: Tastenkappe Ziffer 8">Also, there is no guarantee that Tempest will be the leap forward we want it to be. So an F-35A purchase would de-risk the programme. With France and Germany plus the USA developing 6th Generation aircraft, it could make sense to combine one of these with Tempest?
https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="9⃣" title="Tastenkappe Ziffer 9" aria-label="Emoji: Tastenkappe Ziffer 9"> Why are absolute combat aircraft numbers even important? Because, today, you go to war with the resources you have, not those you would ideally like. Ensuring we have enough combat aircraft is defence doing its job.
https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="1⃣" title="Tastenkappe Ziffer 1" aria-label="Emoji: Tastenkappe Ziffer 1">https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="0⃣" title="Tastenkappe Ziffer 0" aria-label="Emoji: Tastenkappe Ziffer 0"> Finally, an F-35A purchase, would enhance the UK& #39;s standing as an F-35 hub for repair, maintenance and upgrades. This could actually reduce the total cost of ownership for both aircraft.
https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="1⃣" title="Tastenkappe Ziffer 1" aria-label="Emoji: Tastenkappe Ziffer 1">https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="1⃣" title="Tastenkappe Ziffer 1" aria-label="Emoji: Tastenkappe Ziffer 1">Whatever your view on this topic, it is not an RAF versus RN grudge match. Service in-fighting serves no one& #39;s interests. We should also remember that one item potentially on Dominic Cummings& #39;s agenda is: if it floats, the RN operates it. If it flies, the RAF operates it.
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