For those that still think that the F35 is the way forward, look what it is doing to the Dutch Air Force.
JSF Nieuws.nl
translated:
It is remarkable that just the F-35, which should ensure the future of our Air Force for the coming decades, is claimed as the main reason for this huge reduction:
Calculations are made that (in spring 2011 revised)a budget of € 4.5 billion for replacement of the F-16 is only sufficient for 42 F-35A fighter aircraft to be purchased. For this reason it is better and cheaper to reduce the number of F-16's as soon as possible to 42. Because this would only require 1 airbase so the other airbase can be closed.
A quote: "The replacement of the F-16 is a major fiscal risk for the Defense budget if we select the Lockheed F-35A. This not only because of rising investment costs but also by the high operating costs. "
Because of the investments already made up until today ,abandoning the JSF is not an option. therefore, no actual calculations made what it would cost if we pulled out of the JSF.
That is 42 with today's projected prices, a secret rapport from 2009 spoke of no more than 38 planes, a number that is closing in faster and faster.
Just wait and see what the final numbers will be for all the other nations, I suspect a very similar trend.