Elon Musk thinks the world's most modern fighter jets are unnecessary

The Swiss Army is a fan of the F-35A. That's why 36 were ordered. The reason for this, as stated on the Swiss Army website, is the “huge technological lead” in “stealth aircraft”. This fighter can be used for decades. Procurement and operating costs are also lower.

However, Elon Musk has a different vision for fighter jets. The CEO of space company SpaceX and a future adviser to Donald Trump believes that building a modern fighter jet is unnecessary. He wrote on

Musk has been particularly critical of U.S. defense company Lockheed Martin's F-35 fighter jets. “Meanwhile, some idiots are still building manned fighter jets like the F-35,” X read. A video accompanying the post showed numerous drones forming formations across the sky. The F-35 is considered the most modern fighter jet in the world. The aircraft can be used as a stealth bomber and reconnaissance aircraft. Sixteen states selected the F-35. Nine of them are in Europe. Switzerland is one of them.

development issues

However, there were problems with the development of the jet, particularly the computer program. The high operating costs of the F-35 fighter jets have also been criticized frequently. For Musk, the situation is clear. He called the jet “an expensive (and) complex jack-of-all-trades that doesn't do anything.”

For Mauro Gilli, a military researcher at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich, “What makes the F-35 expensive is the software and electronics, not the pilot itself.” That's important, Gilli said on X, “because it's reusable The drones must be equipped with all the complex electronic equipment of the F-35.”

Geely said drones also do not have the range and maneuverability of fighter jets. Other advantages of the F-35 include the ability to carry 10 tons of weapons and mid-air refueling.

Musk’s criticism could shed new light on current discussions about the future of air combat technology. The way aircraft are developed and used may need to be reconsidered. However, other voices indicate that Elon Musk is looking for more development contracts.

Military expert Geely pointed out that the existence of F-35 fighter jets and others has led to countries competing with the United States to develop their own aircraft and more modern radar systems to be able to deal with them. Geely wrote: “The very existence of the F-35 and B-1 forces Russia and China to make strategic decisions that they would not otherwise have to make.” (Keke)