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Comment by ismail | Hacker News Reader

I am not from the states. both of the comments below indicate that Boeing is a strategic asset. Other comments also express similar sentiments.

What is the logic for this? why is this the case?

“They are a strategic asset to the United States far beyond their market value.”

”the airlines know that Boeing will never go under because the US government would (justifiably) never let that happen for strategic reasons“

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Boeing is not just a commercial aircraft manufacturer, it is a commercial and military equipment & services giant. Commercial aircraft account for 60% of its revenue, but the other 40% is military aircraft (including fighters and drones), satellites, missiles, and all kinds of defense department contracts. You cannot sink the company without significantly impacting US intelligence and military capabilities fairly quickly.

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.

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?

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

Boeing is a defense contractor that has well-developed supply chains. If we got into a shooty war and needed more airplanes, Boeing can build them. You don't want to be caught going into a shooty war without the ability to reinforce your equipment. And if you do, you can convert the commercial manufacturing capacity to military to much greater effect if the commercial side is already at super-scale. The capability is worth the subsidies IMO.

Boeing also ensures American interests dominate the skies around the world. There just aren't that many manufacturers of aircraft, and Boeing spreads American influence / values across the globe as an essential part of infrastructure. Airbus does the same for the EU.

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