The Air Force is turning to its allies for help as it looks to maintain a viable global presence in the face of coming budget cuts, a top Air Force general said today/…/ Closer ties with allied air forces will let the Air Force maintain -- or in some cases expand -- its global presence without dedicating men or materiel. In return, partner nations can take advantage of training and equipment via Foreign Military Sales from the United States.
India could be a prime candidate for closer cooperation, Todd Harrison, a defense expert with the Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessment said last week. There are persistent rumors that the U.S. will offer the F-35 to India. Japan is also considering the F-35 for its fighter force and South Korea may buy into the program. Each of those sales could help the Air Force extend much-needed presence into the Pacific.