On F-35 fears, I get it - there is real dependency.
But if all your targeting capacity, BLOS comms, penetrating/orbital ISR and the munitions you assume you’d fight with in a war are US-provided; then dependency on the US for MDFs and ALIS/ODIN for F-35 isn’t your main problem.
The F-35’s capabilities vs Russian air defences also cannot currently be replaced or replicated with other platforms.
For Germany it’s also worth remembering that the F-35 was bought for nuclear DCA role with US supplied B61 Mod 12 so 100% dependent on US whatever the aircraft.
Against the Russian IADS, the gap is very significant. Rafale, Typhoon, Gripen really weren't designed to operate against those systems. They complement the F-35 well and vice-versa against mixed threats. US hostility isn't a contingency that was previously planned for...
If the US is on Russia’s side, a credible plan B force for that scenario would take a decade and vast investment to generate. Uncomfortable but true
Not saying it shouldn’t or can’t be done, but we need a thorough capability audit and honesty about the results as a first step…
