To those who missed the articles in the Straits Times, here it
is.
Eurofighter's missile offer to S'pore
Advanced missiles will come with the deal as the Republic looks for
a new generation of fighter aircraft
By Felix Soh
FOREIGN EDITOR
THE European multi-role fighter aircraft being marketed
aggressively to Singapore would come with sophisticated missiles -
but without the restrictions imposed by the US on a similar weapon
system it supplies to Asian customers of its combat planes.
There would also be other sweeteners to the European deal: A
possible transfer of advanced combat aircraft technology, including
electronics know-how.
Aggressive marketing for the Eurofighter Typhoon has begun in a bid
to clinch a Singapore deal. -- BRITISH AEROSPACE
Singapore has made it known that, besides other military hardware,
it was also looking for a new generation of fighter aircraft.
The Eurofighter Typhoon, developed by a consortium of companies
from Britain, Germany, Italy and Spain, is one of the contenders
for the potential multi-million-dollar Singapore order.
The aircraft, set to enter service with these nations with 620
planes on order, is a cost-effective, multi-role fighter designed
for high serviceability and easy maintenance.
Besides air-to-air operations, the agile Typhoon can carry out air
interdiction operations, close air support, suppression of enemy
air defences, maritime attack and armed reconnaissance.
Cost-effective, easy upkeep
THE Eurofighter Typhoon, developed by a consortium of firms from
Britain, Germany, Italy and Spain, is cost-effective and designed
for high serviceability and easy maintenance.
Besides air-to-air operations, it can carry out air interdiction,
close air support, suppression of enemy air defences, maritime
attack and armed reconnaissance.
It comes with the Meteor BVRAAM (beyond visual range air-to- air
missile) that can destroy targets at long ranges and engage several
targets simultaneously.
Sweeteners offered
OFFERED with the Typhoon would be a possible transfer of advanced
combat aircraft technology, including electronics know-how.
A major sweetener would be the provision of "beyond visual range''
advanced missiles -- without cumbersome restrictions that impact
negatively on operational readiness.
Similar missiles purchased from the US by Thailand and Singapore
come with the condition that the US keeps the weapons until it
deems that the countries face a security threat.
The other rivals are the French-made Rafale and advanced versions
of the American F/A-18 Super Hornet and F-15 Eagle.
It is expected to be a keenly-contested competition.
British Aerospace Systems, which is spearheading the marketing of
the Typhoon to Singapore, has already begun the hard-sell.
Its chief executive, Mr John Weston, was in Singapore last week to
meet the country's defence officials.
He declined to disclose who he and his team met or what they
discussed, but he confirmed that Singapore was in his
gunsight.
'Our current priority in marketing the Typhoon is Singapore,' he
said.
He was asked whether Singapore was more favourably disposed -
politically and militarily - towards American-made fighter
aircraft, which dominate its air force.
Mr Weston said: 'If we'd thought it would be impossible to sell the
Typhoon here, we would not have invested so much effort in our
endeavour.
'Yes, a deal would involve politics, but we believe we've a good
chance although we don't underestimate the scale of the
challenge.'
And BAE Systems is making sure that it has more to offer than its
competitors.
A key sweetener would be the provision of 'beyond visual range'
advanced missiles - without cumbersome restrictions that impact
negatively on operational readiness.
Offered with the Typhoon would be the Meteor BVRAAM (beyond visual
range air-to-air missile) that can destroy targets at long ranges
and engage several targets at the same time.
The Meteor is said to be a superior weapon compared to currently
available medium-range air-to-air missiles, including the US-made
AMRAAM, the AIM-120C.
Thailand and Singapore have purchased the advanced American
missiles, but the sale in both instances carries with it
restrictions.
That is, the missiles would be kept in the US until Washington
decides that the countries face a security threat.
The US rationale is that it does not want to be the country
introducing advanced weapon systems in the region.
However, another Asean country, Malaysia, already possesses such
advanced missiles - the AA-12 Adder - for its Russian-made MiG-29
Fulcrums.
Said Mr Weston about the offer of the Meteor missile: 'Clearly, it
won't make sense to sell the Typhoon without its major weapon
systems.'
