GAO and other auditors have repeatedly warned about the F-35’s numerous shortcomings, but to no avail. Although the US military doesn’t like it (mildly speaking), the Military Industrial Complex (MIC) and the so-called “intelligence community” have a vested interest in the JSF program (for the profits and spying, respectively). As evidenced by India’s continued refusal, no sovereign and self-respecting nation would ever acquire the F-35, leaving the US, its vassals and satellite states as primary clients.