Russia, China, India, Pakistan, and several other countries all have 5th gen/stealth fighters under development. Most at least look to have been heavily “inspired” by the F-35/F-22. These new fighters are all quite costly for their respective countries. It’s basically the international military version of “keeping up with the Joneses”.
I get how the F-35 has raised the cost of air war for the NATO countries which have bought into the F-35 program.
But how has the F-35 program raised the cost of air war for other countries?