Not only do you have to cut that number in half and then by 75% for what would actually be war ready at any given moment. The F-35 is not a bomber, it’s a multi-role combat aircraft, and a stealth strike fighter, which means they’re a one and done type of air to surface attack. JDAMs, JSTOWs, Paveways, and some laser guided Cluster Munitions that can fit on the F-35 can be intercepted with easier than the plane itself which is a choice. JDAMs and JSTOWs cannot aimed while in flight, they’re pre-aimed. So if you have mobile air defense it’s pointless. The laser guided stuff is very slow. In practice F-35s would be used to maintain air superiority to protect MQ-9 Reapers from air to air interception. Reapers are extremely vulnerable to SAM missiles, the Houthis have taken them down.
The reason that America is mad about Iskander is because mid-range ballistic missiles and cruise missiles which Russia has spent more time developing are emerging as a way to breach air defenses in modern warfare as well as loitering drones. America doesn’t have enough cheap swarm tech ready to go because we get milked by the MIC so we don’t have anything to pad out missile barrages to attempt to get enemies to make unforced errors in targetting. That’s precisely how Russia is getting past the magical Patriots impervious air defense shield in Ukraine.
America would have trouble maintaining NATO bases in Europe as a springboard because Russia would throw meat at every country it was at war with. Also Putin would 100% pull the trigger on launching ICBMs with MIRVs if an overwhelming conventional force was at his doorstep.
Beyond that the trick to defeating Americans is to take out their range extension which at “bombing Russia distances” is typically gigantic refueling planes. Russia or China out of all countries would be best equipped for this task.
Not only do you have to cut that number in half and then by 75% for what would actually be war ready at any given moment. The F-35 is not a bomber, it’s a multi-role combat aircraft, and a stealth strike fighter, which means they’re a one and done type of air to surface attack. JDAMs, JSTOWs, Paveways, and some laser guided Cluster Munitions that can fit on the F-35 can be intercepted with easier than the plane itself which is a choice. JDAMs and JSTOWs cannot aimed while in flight, they’re pre-aimed. So if you have mobile air defense it’s pointless. The laser guided stuff is very slow. In practice F-35s would be used to maintain air superiority to protect MQ-9 Reapers from air to air interception. Reapers are extremely vulnerable to SAM missiles, the Houthis have taken them down.
The reason that America is mad about Iskander is because mid-range ballistic missiles and cruise missiles which Russia has spent more time developing are emerging as a way to breach air defenses in modern warfare as well as loitering drones. America doesn’t have enough cheap swarm tech ready to go because we get milked by the MIC so we don’t have anything to pad out missile barrages to attempt to get enemies to make unforced errors in targetting. That’s precisely how Russia is getting past the magical Patriots impervious air defense shield in Ukraine.
America would have trouble maintaining NATO bases in Europe as a springboard because Russia would throw meat at every country it was at war with. Also Putin would 100% pull the trigger on launching ICBMs with MIRVs if an overwhelming conventional force was at his doorstep.
Beyond that the trick to defeating Americans is to take out their range extension which at “bombing Russia distances” is typically gigantic refueling planes. Russia or China out of all countries would be best equipped for this task.