skip to content

Musk Lambasts Defence Forces For Buying Manned Fighter Jets Over Drones

- Advertisement -

While unmanned systems present considerable benefits, including minimizing risks to human pilots, hastily phasing out manned aircraft will have repercussions.

Tech billionaire Elon Musk, recently tasked by President-elect Donald Trump with crafting strategies to reduce federal spending, is making impactful waves by advocating for a radical transformation of military aviation. In a series of compelling posts on his platform X (formerly Twitter), Musk highlighted the ineffectiveness of relying on manned fighter jets, arguing that more is needed in the face of advancements in drone technology.

Musk directed sharp criticism at the F-35, Lockheed Martin’s advanced stealth fighter jet that has been operational since 2015. While the F-35 is celebrated for its state-of-the-art stealth technology and intelligence-gathering capabilities, it has been plagued by significant concerns regarding its exorbitant operating costs and ongoing technical problems, especially related to its software.

- Advertisement -

The F-35, engineered by Lockheed Martin, is a groundbreaking marvel in modern warfare, having entered service in 2015. Touted as the most advanced fighter jet in the world, it combines unparalleled stealth with cutting-edge intelligence capabilities that are essential for today’s combat scenarios. While critics highlight its development challenges, such as software malfunctions and rising expenses, these issues should not overshadow its transformative potential. Detractors argue that the F-35’s multi-role design complicates operations and inflates costs. However, supporters assert that its significant technological advantages far outweigh these concerns, making it a worthy investment in national security and defense innovation.

Musk, who the new President has urged to frame new strategies to reduce budget, is actively leveraging his social media platform X to champion President-elect Donald Trump’s cabinet selections while also promoting his favored candidates. He advocates for individuals he believes will serve as transformative change agents in reshaping the US government.

Speaking of the skepticism towards spending on F-35 jets, Musk believes that the design encountered critical flaws at the requirements stage because it attempted to satisfy many diverse needs. This led to a costly and complicated solution, ultimately becoming a jack of all trades yet failing to excel in any area. As a result, achieving success was never a realistic possibility.

Despite criticism, the F-35 has seen broad international acceptance, with countries such as Germany, Poland, Finland, and Romania recently finalizing agreements to procure the aircraft. Interestingly, Mauro Gilli, a senior researcher specializing in military technology and international security at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) in Zurich, has countMusk’susk’s claims, providing a different perspective on the figjet’sjet’s relevance and performance.

The significant expense of the F-35 and B-21 is driven primarily by their cutting-edge software and complex electronics rather than the pilots themselves. This is a crucial consideration, as any reusable drone would also require the advanced electronic systems akin to those in an F-35, further increasing costs, added Gill. Emphasizing the strategic implications of the F-35, Gill noted that discontinuing programs like the F-35 could relieve pressure on US adversaries, granting them enhanced strategic flexibility.

While unmanned systems present considerable benefits, including minimizing risks to human pilots, experts like Gilli warn against hastily phasing out manned aircraft. These traditional platforms continue to excel in contested airspaces and can execute various missions effectively.

- Advertisement -

Most Popular Articles

Eastman, Urja Mobility To Power Electric Three-Wheelers

0
Integrating IoT and software solutions for enhanced mobility, Eastman Auto partners with Urja Mobility to supply batteries for electric three-wheelers in India. On Tuesday,...

ISRO, IIT Madras Unveil India’s Indigenous IRIS Chip

0
Powering India’s leap towards self-reliance in semiconductors for space and IoT systems under the RISC-V initiative, ISRO and IIT Madras have jointly launched IRIS...

Lam Research To Invest ₹100B In India

0
Aligning with government efforts to reduce import dependency, Lam Research is set to invest ₹100 billion in Bengaluru, India, for semiconductor manufacturing. Lam Research,...

BEL, Safran Partner To Boost India’s Defence Manufacturing

0
To locally produce cutting-edge HAMMER weapon systems, France's Safran Electronics join hands with BEL, expands manufacturing and R&D operations in Bengaluru. Defence PSU Bharat...

Delvitech Expands AI Innovation India

0
Focused on AI-powered AOI and SPI systems, the company is committed to driving innovation, optimizing production quality, and delivering world-class solutions tailored to the...
Khushal Panchal,  chief operating officer (COO), PCB Power

“We Differentiate Ourselves By Producing Radio Frequency PCBs For Wireless Communication Devices” – Khushal...

0
With technology and policy support, Indian PCB manufacturing is at a turning point. Can innovation and scale match global giants? PCB Power leads the...
Jayesh Ranjan IAS, Special Secretary, Department of Industries and Commerce and ITE&C, Government Of Telangana

“To Compensate For Telangana’s Lack Of A Wet Port,Our Incentives Help ESDM And Semiconductor...

0
Despite logistics challenges, how is Telangana securing billion-dollar investments in electronics? Will the state unveil a new semiconductor policy soon? Jayesh Ranjan, IAS, from...
Shrinivas Kulkarni CFO, Cyient DLM

“Acquisitions That Help Address Gaps In Our Design Capabilities….. Interest Us” – Shrinivas Kulkarni,...

0
Over the past five years, Cyient DLM (formerly Rangsons Electronics), a subsidiary of Cyient Limited, has rapidly expanded its footprint in the design-led manufacturing...
Akshay-Kashyap-of-Greenfuel-Energy

“Many Companies Avoid Pack Testing And Validation Because It Is Time-Consuming” – Akshay Kashyap,...

0
Battery pack reliability goes beyond cell quality—it relies on precise engineering, thorough testing, and tailored thermal management. In a conversation with EFY’s Nitisha Dubey,...
Sambit Parida, CTO and Co-Founder of IG Drones

“If A Hacking Attempt Is Detected, The System Automatically Secures Or Erases Critical Data...

0
From handling defence-specific tasks with or without human intervention to withstanding extreme weather, how capable are drones? What if someone tries to hack sensitive...

Meridian Joins Altair’s Startup Programme To Boost UAV Tech

0
Eyeing to drive innovation in UAVs and hybrid power tech with simulation tools and expert support, Altair teams up with Meridian Flight Systems in...

Mitsubishi Electric Acquires Stake In Itanta Analytics Startup

0
Aiming to boost manufacturing digitalisation and efficiency with simplified automation solutions, Mitsubishi Electric India invests in Itanta Analytics to develop no-code data analysis tools....

Union Budget 2025-26: What It Has For The Electronics Sector?

0
With reduced and exempted duties, tax relief for manufacturing, and increased support for startups, this Budget addresses a broader range of issues within the...

IndiaAI Mission Expands To 18,693 GPUs For R&D

0
Aiming to support R&D and ethical AI, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced the expansion of IndiaAI’s GPU infrastructure to 18,693 to benefit startups and...
Sambit Parida, CTO and Co-Founder of IG Drones

Innovative Drone Technologies from IG Drones Driving Efficiency Across Sectors

0
Haryana-based IG Drones develops advanced surveillance, agriculture, and defence technologies, focusing on improving adaptability and operational precision. Founded in 2018 by Om Prakash and Bodhisattwa...

Industry's Buzz

Learn From Leaders

Startups