Supply Chain Problems Keep F-35s Grounded 30 Percent Of Time - US Government Audit

WASHINGTON (Pakistan Point News / Sputnik - 25th April, 2019) A shortage of parts kept the Pentagon's fleet of F-35 warplanes grounded 30 percent of the time for more than half of last year, the Department of Defense Government Accountability Office (GAO) said in a report on Thursday.�

"Shortages, repair backlogs, and mismatched parts are keeping F-35s on the ground. For example, F-35 aircraft were unable to fly nearly 30% of the time from May through November 2018 because they didn't have the parts they needed," the report said.

The Pentagon needs to address the supply chain problems in order to ensure the operation of the country's most expensive weapons system, which is projected to cost more than $1 trillion to maintain, the report said.

The GAO called for a comprehensive review of the F-35 supply chain and a plan to ensure that the global network for moving parts operates effectively, among other measures.

The report, which examined the F-35 supply chain during fiscal year 2018 (October 2017 to September 2018), comes on the heels of the Pentagon's decision earlier this month to suspend Turkey's participation in the F-35 program. The Defense Department took the step after Turkey signed an agreement with Russia to purchase S-400 defense systems.

Some US defense officials have warned that Turkey's ouster from the program could cause further disruptions to the F-35 supply chain.

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Turkey is among other international partners taking part in the F-35 program who will provide sustainment support. Recently, however, Anakara has been in disputes with Washington over its purchase of the Russian S-400 air defense system. The United States threatens to exclude Turkey from its F-35 program if it keeps the Russian air defense system, however, Ankara has indicated it could instead look to acquire the Russian Su-57 fighter jets.