In a column of the American edition of Defense News, retired US Marine Corps (ILC) officer Scott Cooper called the fifth-generation F-35 Lightning II fighter the main deterrent against Russia and China.
“Congress recognizes that the F-35 is a cornerstone of deterrence in the great-power competition we face as a nation,” the author writes, citing the 2018 United States National Defense Strategy.
The retired officer admits that in most previous conflicts, for example, in Iraq, in which the United States participated, the latter “enjoyed the luxury of maintaining air superiority” from the very beginning of hostilities.
“This will not happen in any conflict with Russia or China. In fact, this would not even have happened in the event of a conflict with Syria with the capabilities of the S-400 [Russian anti-aircraft missile system] air defense (air defense) system, ”the author writes.
Cooper recalls US combat losses in Vietnam and the former Yugoslavia. “I still have vivid memories of the night when Serbian air defense forces shot down [US tactical stealth strike aircraft] F-117,” adds the retired officer.
According to the expert, the US Air Force (Air Force) should increase the number of stealth fighters and strategic bombers, which are distinguished by their ability to overcome enemy air defenses, to deter potential adversaries. “We moved from the Air Force, which in 1987 had 4,468 fighters and 331 bombers, to a force that [today] has 1,481 fighters and 122 bombers,” the author notes.
In January, Popular Mechanics magazine reported that former Acting US Secretary of Defense (November 9, 2020 to January 20, 2021) Christopher Miller, during a press conference, called the American fifth-generation F-35 Lightning II fighter “a piece …” …
In the same month, Defense News, citing a report from the RAND corporation, reported that the F-35 Lightning II, due to its stealth and equipment with a variety of sensors, is the only aircraft suitable for initial contact with Russian troops in the event of a possible conflict in Europe.
