F-35 Exceeds $2T; Trump Budget Revives WWII Battleship Experts Say Missiles Will Easily Destroy
Summary
GAO confirmed F-35 program lifetime cost now exceeds 1.5T defense budget includes reviving WWII-era battleships that defense experts say modern missiles will “easily destroy” — textbook evidence of MIC as wealth extraction rather than defense.
Key Data Points
- F-35 lifetime cost: exceeds $2 trillion (GAO confirmed)
- FY2026 F-35 orders: 47 aircraft (down 45% from FY2024’s 86)
- F-35 Air Force buy: 24 F-35As at $3.6B, down from 44 in FY25
- F-35 availability: sub-40% mission readiness
- F-35 problem: military lacks control of key data systems (contractor dependency)
- Trump $1.5T defense budget: includes WWII battleships
- Expert assessment: modern missiles “easily destroy” revived battleships
- Contractor dependency: maintenance outsourced, driving costs and reducing readiness
Bias Assessment
GAO is authoritative US government accountability body. Responsible Statecraft is center-left security policy outlet. Fortune provides financial analysis. Combined credibility high.