The F-35 is a critical signal to the United States that we are a trusted and loyal ally when it comes to the defence of the continent. The defence of the continent is about protecting our sovereign decision-making, and it's about protecting extended nuclear deterrence. If we can't protect extended nuclear deterrence, we'll get nuclear proliferation among allies and partners. That can't possibly be in our interest. The F-35 is indispensable to this end.
