DoD plays it safe on air power spending
The proposed US DoD FY2021 defence budget runs at a shortfall of $800 million for aircraft and associated systems compared to last year’s figures.
In total, $56.9 billion has been specifically requested for aircraft procurement, aircraft research and design, spares and support equipment.
Unsurprisingly, the F-35 fifth-generation programme, the single-largest defence effort of its kind, tops air power spending with 79 of the platforms requested at a cost of $11.4 billion, a drop from the 98 originally called for in FY2020.
Breakdown of the aircraft by service sees 48 set to be produced for the USAF, ten for
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