Steve OâBryan, one of Lockheed Martinâs top executives for the F-35 program, was seated across the table from the chief of Chinaâs air force almost two years ago at the gala dinner held at the Royal International Air Tattoo. They chatted amiably during dinner, through an interpreter. Then Steve got up to give an award and was introduced as the head of Lockheedâs F-35 international business development.
When he got back to his seat the interpreter had vanished and the air chief himself was sitting next to Steve. They chatted for a while. Then the air chief leaned over to Steve, smiling and said: âYou know, Steve, I really love the F-35. Iâd really love to have the F-35 in my air force.â
Steve thought to himself: Iâm the Lockheed business development guy, so I should ask him how many he wants! So he asked the air chief. âHe kind of looks at me and says: âYou know Steve, I need just one.â
Yep. China is a master of “reverse engineering.’ They only need 1. They will build the rest themselves.