Six additional countries consider joining JSF

last SG · 2006-11-17T21:24:45+00:00

Mindef came to my school for some NS talk. They showed our 3G army video and F-35s were in the animation video… that might say something.. but i think the F-...

duotiga83 SG

October 30, 2006 (by Anonymous) - According to Janes news, Six additional countries consider joining the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) program. Lockheed Martin Executive Vice President and JSF General Manager Tom Burbage said the six nations were "NATO countries or US allies" but would not disclose which countries they were.

Spain, which would be looking at the F-35B short take-off vertical-landing (STOVL) variant to replace the Boeing AV-8B Harrier II Plus aircraft that it is currently operating off the aircraft carrier SPS Principe de Asturias, is certain to be one country.

The other five to join the nine partner nations of Australia, Canada, Denmark, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Turkey, the UK and the US, could include Finland, Greece, Switzerland and potentially Israel.

http://www.f-16.net/news_article2033.html

tankee1981 SG

I remember that Singapore is the only Asian partner in this program so far, but our level of participation is at a lower level as compared to the others.

My question is how will we joining this F-35 program benefit us and whats the difference between our benefits and the 6 newly joined member countries? Very Happy

SpecOps87 SG

I’m curious…why are we still interested if we are gonna be getting watered down versions of the jet?

sgf SG

Unless we are interested in the VTOL version (which AFAIK we are not), I honestly don't see why we are even considering the F-35 especially when its a watered down version.

Surely the Rafale, Eurofighter or heck even the Sukhoi would be a better bet. At least we're getting the real mccoy & not some watered down thing. So what if its cheaper? Is it worth it paying less for 2nd grade jets? I doubt it.

I mean even the full F-35 may or may not be a match for Rafale/Eurofighter/Sukhoi, let alone a watered down version. IMHO it would be a sad day if the RSAF one day comprises of just F-15SG and watered down F-35s.

Seth35 SG

Singapore’s Involved… Check out the Lockheed martin web…States singapore is also helping in the JSF targeting systems program….

fallin SG

Why jump on a sinking ship?

duotiga83 SG

the 1st flight of F-35 coming soon….is now wait and see situation for most of the countries….

hmsg SG

coming soon? i thot a few more years to go... esp those that contribute least will wait longest....?

duotiga83 SG

the ground test for the F-35A engine have already started...is just a matter of time before the actual 1st flight started....

papabear20046 SG

All of US strike n fighter n CAS aircraft wings will be quite sad sight too....Only F-22 n F-35 n their variants n Unmanned Combat Air Vehicles....Not much other manned strike n fighter n CAS ones

duotiga83 SG

you forget they just upgraded their Warthogs to A-10C with JDAM /WCMD capability

papabear20046 SG

True but their plans r to phase out the rest n leave only 2 types n variants n future UACVs

LazerLordz SG

We seem to be following the USAF model somewhat, and increasing research on UAVs.

In the medium term, I'd prefer to see a mix of F-35s, F-15SGs and perhaps an improved Eurofighter.

duotiga83 SG

Tranche 3 Typhoon will be probably got the same capability of Strike Eagle as is meant for interdiction and strike replacement of Panavia Tornado and SPECAT Jaguar

Shotgun SG

The Tornado IDS GR.4s didn't even come close to matching the F-15E's capability. It could handle mud moving as well... but lacked the ability to hold its own in the air.

I have my doubts with the JSF as well. It may have the latest in state of the art technology, stealth etc. But its friggin payload capacity is too low! =/

As for Sukhois and MiGs... thats out of the question. They've got magnificent airframes, really big, really manueverable. But they've got really maintenance exhausting engines too. I suspect the Malaysians tak boleh tahan the maintenance cost of the MiG-29s and decided to cold storage citing shortage of pilots.

touchstone_2000 SG

Whatever we learn or contribute can have a trickle down effect to ST's UAV.

IMHO, we will most probably be operating the F-15 for quite sometime. Probably until they reverse the water down decision. Remember F-16/79?

LazerLordz SG

It's unlikely we will get anything less than the Australian or UK spec. After all, the F-15SG's equipment list shows a precedent that we are in the same export customer league as the RAAF at the very least, if not higher. Put it this way, the APG-63V3 AESA radar is more capable than the RoKAF's APG63V1.

Standoff weaponry aside, the F-15SG may be considered by the Pentagon as a defense related sale, but in our regional environment, with the requisite modifications by our friends with the olive trees (which is quite likely), we have a very capable plane here; something adequate to perform missions that require regional surveillance and patrol.

I am of the opinion that the SEA region will benefit from our extended capability to patrol further.

hloc SG

could be that we are in the learning stage and join them to learn more on how to make top of the line fighter jets

chillycraps SG

could it be RSAF is looking for a mix of V/STOL birds + CTOL planes? Going by Singapore's small size, getting a V/STOL (or at least STOL) fighter has its advantage. No point buying Harrier II right?

By joining the project, Singapore has a better bargain power than those who didn't join, if and when Singapore decides to buy the planes. Other than that, could be just to project a cooperative image?

digger SG

"It's unlikely we will get anything less than the Australian or UK spec. After all, the F-15SG's equipment list shows a precedent that we are in the same export customer league as the RAAF at the very least, if not higher."

Singapore will never have the same access that is shared between U.S,U.K and Australia.