via Reuters.
(Reuters) - U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates, a driving force behind both the Afghan war plan and in overhauling the Pentagon's finances, said in an interview published on Monday he aims to retire next year.So what does this mean?
1. It means that the F-35 will most definitely survive. Gates retirement should be near initial operational capability for the F-35 into Marine Corps service.
2. It means that the Marines will get the EFV. Gates can kill programs but with a Republican House on the horizon (and possibly Senate) then you can bet that the defense industry will get a boost.
3. It means that the developing Air-Sea Battle is officially in danger. Gates is the biggest driver behind this new concept. With his departure and with a focus on ongoing combat in Afghanistan, you can bet that extra expenditures for expensive new airplanes (looking at you next gen bomber) will be tough to swallow.
4. Lastly, it means that the next SecDef will be almost powerless. With Gates retirement close to the start of the next presidential election cycle this person will have almost no sway over the services. He/She will be able to tinker at the edges but thats about it.
EFV wins, EFV wins, EFV wins....
If my recollection serves me, Gates never gave any signs that he would like to cancel any version F-35. You could say he was a proponent of the program.
ReplyDeleteIf the Osprey wasn't canceled I doubt EFV was in any great danger whether Gates was leaving or not.
A Republican House and Senate is so much of a pipe dream, Ambian would not help.
ReplyDelete