[__jal]

They are are the equivalent of Airbus - a national champion for both commercial and military contracting.

Imagine the US military going to another country hat-in-hand to buy aircraft.

That's why.

[inferiorhuman]

Imagine the US military going to another country hat-in-hand to buy aircraft.

You mean like with the Harrier or Eurocopter? Or more like the KC-30 where Boeing protested until Airbus dropped out?

[argonaut]

The US military didn't have to buy those hat-in-hand.