{"id":58405,"date":"2020-06-01T08:25:58","date_gmt":"2020-06-01T08:25:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/defensenews\/uncategorized\/2020\/06\/01\/poor-spending-decisions-on-f-18-could-have-long-term-national-security-consequences\/"},"modified":"2026-08-08T00:16:33","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T00:16:33","slug":"poor-spending-decisions-on-f-18-could-have-long-term-national-security-consequences","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/defensenews\/commentary\/2020\/06\/01\/poor-spending-decisions-on-f-18-could-have-long-term-national-security-consequences\/","title":{"rendered":"Poor spending decisions on F-18 could have long-term national security consequences"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Those who plan for our nation\u2019s defense are often under pressure because of questionable spending decisions made in the past. Money wasted or misspent by lawmakers in Washington increases pressure to slash funding needed for our nation\u2019s defense. Our war fighters should never lack the tools they need because national leaders make poor decisions. Our leaders must ensure our military has what it needs to defend America today, tomorrow and for generations to come.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Our war fighters are expected to defend us against current risks and dangers, and at the same time be prepared for future perils and upgrade our defensive capabilities. But when budgets are tight, we pit current security needs against future security needs. That is dangerous.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We see this playing out now with our nation\u2019s military aircraft. We have a shortage of wings and reduced readiness because for decades we have been using up planes faster than we\u2019ve been replacing them. Next year\u2019s budget reveals that the Pentagon is planning to add zero F-18s to replace older planes that can no longer fly. Thus, the plane shortage will simply get worse while we wait for at least a decade for a new plane to be developed and roll off production lines. And it may be a lot longer because challenges and delays in high-tech development are difficult to predict.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Moreover, as planes get older, they cost more to operate and eventually become unsafe to fly without a major overhaul, which can be staggeringly expensive. Because we\u2019ve allowed our fighter fleet to age, we are at a point where immediate action is necessary. Deciding to buy fewer F-18s than our Navy needs means that the current shortage of wings will only get worse. It will also weaken our capabilities for at least a decade. This is simply too great a risk!<\/p>\n\n\n\t