Cause and Effect:\nI) The country has decided to equip its air force with the latest fighter jets from the world’s biggest plane manufacturer.\nII) Technology used in fighter planes has advanced significantly in recent years.

Introduction / Context:
Defense procurement decisions to buy the latest jets are often driven by technological advancements that render older fleets less capable. We must identify the likely causal direction.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• I: Decision to procure latest-generation fighter jets.
• II: Significant recent advances in fighter technology.
• Military modernization aims to keep pace with technology.

Concept / Approach:
Advancement in technology (II) is a plausible cause for the decision to buy newer platforms (I). The reverse (buying jets causing past tech advancement) is temporally impossible.

Step-by-Step Solution:
1) II → I: Technological progress motivates modernization and acquisition.2) I → II: Procurement cannot retroactively cause prior advances.

Verification / Alternative check:
Acquisition cycles typically follow capability assessments against evolving technology.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
They either invert causality or disregard the procurement logic.

Common Pitfalls:
Ignoring time order in cause–effect reasoning.

Final Answer:
If statement II is the cause and statement I is its effect