Not sure what countries need with a small number of (very expensive) stealth fighters. They're not needed to enforce one's airspace or check out wayward airliners. They're too few in number to stand up to a serious invasion... Isn't this why the F-5 and F-16 and their Euro counterparts were created, so as to have a larger number of effective fighters?
Stealth can be dealt with, particularly in small countries like Switzerland, by advances in multi-frequency radar (or other spectral areas). Defensive missiles and drones are way cheaper and there's still a lot other be said filling regions of space with chunks of metal.
Isn't this the air force that unionized and doesn't work weekends so the state had to sign a deal with Italy to patrol their sovereign airspace on Saturdays and Sundays?
Not sure what countries need with a small number of (very expensive) stealth fighters. They're not needed to enforce one's airspace or check out wayward airliners. They're too few in number to stand up to a serious invasion... Isn't this why the F-5 and F-16 and their Euro counterparts were created, so as to have a larger number of effective fighters?
Stealth can be dealt with, particularly in small countries like Switzerland, by advances in multi-frequency radar (or other spectral areas). Defensive missiles and drones are way cheaper and there's still a lot other be said filling regions of space with chunks of metal.
Nothing what you wrote makes much sense. It's like asking why buy a new MacBook for your company when an IBM/360 will do.
F-5 is a 70 year old plane that stopped being manufactured 40 years ago. F-16 was also introduced 45 years ago, predating most of computing industry.
We have learned a few things about designing planes since then which is why F-35 modernizes those designs.
It’s a wonder anyone continues to do business with us.
Isn't this the air force that unionized and doesn't work weekends so the state had to sign a deal with Italy to patrol their sovereign airspace on Saturdays and Sundays?