By teaming up with allied nations on defense acquisition programs, the United States hopes to reduce the cost of weapons such as the Joint Strike Fighter, the next-generation fighter aircraft for the Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps. But some question the benefits of cost-sharing with other countries. In the view of one defense analyst, such arrangements limit U.S. decision-making flexibility and offer little in return. "It's a huge impediment to the American strategic debate" to conduct big defense procurement programs in conjunction with allies, according to Michael O'Hanlon, senior fellow in foreign policy studies at The Brookings Institution, a Washington-based think tank. The F-35 Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) program offers a striking case in point, according to O'Hanlon.
Some Question Logic of Multinational Defense Programs
