If someone builds an air defense system that can kill F-35s NATO is militarily broken I think.
Remember that Iranians shot down the most modern and expensive US stealth drone worth 200 million with a soviet missile from 60’s with domestically build guidance system. And F35 isn’t even any particular breakthrough compared to earlier stealth designs, i would say Russia is quite capable of that.
Note how US try to push F-35 down the throats of their allies but don’t even want to try it in Ukraine. I suspect getting it shot down would botch the sales, not to mention it could prompt something like a real investigation of that entire project which is like pandora box of corruption.
Remember that Iranians shot down the most modern and expensive US stealth drone worth 200 million with a soviet missile from 60’s with domestically build guidance system. And F35 isn’t even any particular breakthrough compared to earlier stealth designs, i would say Russia is quite capable of that.
Note how US try to push F-35 down the throats of their allies but don’t even want to try it in Ukraine. I suspect getting it shot down would botch the sales, not to mention it could prompt something like a real investigation of that entire project which is like pandora box of corruption.