alt Hacker News> In joint NATO missions, the F-35 can just be fueled by tankers operated by US tankers.
I don't think we're in a timeline in which NATO's stability should be counted on for such critical things like refuelling your own planes...
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bilekas • today at 8:56 AM
> I don't think we're in a timeline in which NATO's stability should be counted on for such critical things like refuelling your own planes...
This is the entire point of NATO, complete interoperability between forces. To work as one cohesive force.
We're still stable, if we're not then it's already over.
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detaro • today at 8:55 AM
next question: should it be counted on for such things as "being able to service and operate our planes"
The UK is no stranger to engineering, it's not like it would take them years to build or modify a tanker on their own.
Airbus makes the stupid tankers for the US: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Airbus_A330_MRTT it's not a problem.
Edit: the US cancelled the Airbus program, but they still can make the boom operated tankers.