I still think we're being ripped of (F35 price and contractual obligations) but at some point we're going to have to move ahead and make the best of it.
Also there is the fact that it is not only a case of an over expensive fighter but also a criminal neglect of providing enough funds for our military.
The F35 won't be cancelled , that's a simple fact, and now that the MARINES have pushed through and declared IOC, the rest our bound to follow.
I think the Dutch way of ordering a limited amount of F35's in combination with another, lighter and cheaper, platform might be the way to go for us (maybe something like F35 and Gripen).
Personally I wouldn't mind us (Belgium) having 24 JSF's in combination with 24-30 Gripen NG's, both have excellent sensor fusion, AESA and excellent linking abilities.
Now throw some Meteors, IRIS-T,Brimstone and a whole load of stand-off weapons in the mix and we are set for the next few decades.
Our biggest political party has already stated that the F35 is too expensive too replace the F16 on a 1 on 1 base (this would mean 56-68 needed) but a mixed buy might be a better alternative.
We seem to have put the (Socialists party) idea of quitting the fighter jet business to bed for good and with the plan to purchase 3 A330 MRTT's thing look better than 4 years ago for our Fighter jet pilots.