MigBuster 2,884 Posted January 9, 2014 The US might have a few more than the rest of the world by then...................... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
+76.IAP-Blackbird 3,557 Posted January 9, 2014 Than comes a MiG-21 from behind .... the F-35`s blind spot and hugs it to death! by the numbers it would be a 50% loss for Australia! Lucky nation 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nesher 628 Posted January 9, 2014 what about Israeli Lightnings? :( Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
+Gepard 11,356 Posted January 10, 2014 I would not be surprised if Norway and Italy would retreat from F-35 project. Danmark had done this step already. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SayethWhaaaa 245 Posted January 10, 2014 by the numbers it would be a 50% loss for Australia! Lucky nation It's not bad, considering we were promised 16 by 2012 @ less than $100 mil/plane when we signed, hence the RAAF (really, the MoD and the Howard Govt.) retiring the F-111 by 2010. Except now they'll be (approx) $225/plane, we start getting them in numbers by 2020 and there won't be any on Australian soil until then or thereafter, but definitely not before. This is what happens when your government to far too chummy with old mates who work as lobbyists for huge defence contractors and convince your intellectually challenged Air Chief Marshal (Angus Houston) and know-nothing government that a tender isn't needed. Because stealth. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JediMaster 451 Posted January 10, 2014 Until you pay the bill, don't buy into the numbers. To this day, the press reports that the B-2 costs anywhere from $500m to $4 BILLION per plane, all depending on who's doing the counting. For comparison, at the end of its run the F-22 cost $141m USD to build each, yet press reports NEVER give numbers that low. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
+76.IAP-Blackbird 3,557 Posted January 10, 2014 what about Israeli Lightnings? :( Will be build by Suchoi and MiG, maintained by Airbus/ EADS and called Lavi 2 .... 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MigBuster 2,884 Posted January 10, 2014 Until you pay the bill, don't buy into the numbers. To this day, the press reports that the B-2 costs anywhere from $500m to $4 BILLION per plane, all depending on who's doing the counting. For comparison, at the end of its run the F-22 cost $141m USD to build each, yet press reports NEVER give numbers that low. Absolutely - the figures are always ambiguous - never clear what it actually represents, and the amount always portrayed depending on the argument of the author. You rarely see economies of scale taken into consideration either. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MigBuster 2,884 Posted January 10, 2014 I would not be surprised if Norway and Italy would retreat from F-35 project. Danmark had done this step already. Has anything official been stated by either to that effect? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
+Gepard 11,356 Posted January 11, 2014 (edited) Danmark operated 77 F-16s in the 80th and is now down to ~ 30 planes. Replacement is needed in 2020 - 25. In 2002 it entered the F-35 programm and planned to buy 48 planes. 2010 the F-35 project was cancelled and in 2013 a new competition is started. Competitors are F-18E, Gripen, Eurofighter Typhoon and Rafale. The F-35 could also enter this competition, but it is much to expensive. If i take a look on Danmarks financial situation i would bet on the Gripen. Edited January 11, 2014 by Gepard 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MigBuster 2,884 Posted January 11, 2014 What about Italy and Norway? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
+Gepard 11,356 Posted January 11, 2014 If you look to Italy, then you will realize very fast, that this country has enormous financial problems. Its one of the Euro PIGS states (Portugal, Italy, Greek, Spain), which are all in a very difficult economical and finiancial situation. I would not be surprised if Italy would retreat from high expensive F-35 program. Norway is an other thing. They have money enough. But who know. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MigBuster 2,884 Posted January 11, 2014 Finnmecanica have an active interest in F-35 - so I couldn't see them pulling out . http://www.finmeccanica.com/en/-/finmeccanica-alenia-aermacchi-contratto http://www.finmeccanica.com/en/-/f35 When the politicos say there is no money - it means there is no money to give to the general public - not for anything they deem politically significant Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MigBuster 2,884 Posted February 2, 2014 It's not bad, considering we were promised 16 by 2012 @ less than $100 mil/plane when we signed, hence the RAAF (really, the MoD and the Howard Govt.) retiring the F-111 by 2010. Except now they'll be (approx) $225/plane, we start getting them in numbers by 2020 and there won't be any on Australian soil until then or thereafter, but definitely not before. This is what happens when your government to far too chummy with old mates who work as lobbyists for huge defence contractors and convince your intellectually challenged Air Chief Marshal (Angus Houston) and know-nothing government that a tender isn't needed. Because stealth. Saw this being discussed on f16 and thought of you http://comptroller.defense.gov/Portals/45/documents/rates/fy2014/2014_f_h.pdf apparently hourly rate for fixed wing jets - so here's a few from the DOD - F-35A $17,148 A-10C $7,329 F-16C $8,982 FA-18E $10,873 F-15E $20,094 F-22A $21,464 I would have thought the F-35A would have had a similar cost to the F-15E as they are of similar size - but I guess the F-15E is much higher thrust and burns more jet fuel. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
