Posted on 05/20/2011 1:28:41 AM PDT by sukhoi-30mki
Japan may drop F-35 from shortlist of next mainstay fighter -Kyodo
May 20 (Reuters) - Japan may drop the F-35 stealth fighter from a shortlist for the country's next generation fighter due to a sharp delay in the plane's development plan, Kyodo agency reported on Friday citing diplomatic and defense sources.
The operational test of the radar-evading F-35 -- being developed by Lockheed Martin Corp and Britain, Italy, Netherlands, Turkey, Canada, Australia, Denmark and Norway -- is not expected to begin until 2017 and this would not satisfy Japan's desire to receive delivery of the next fighter by March that year, Kyodo said.
The development of the multi role F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, due to replace various aircraft in the military fleets of both the United States and its partners, has been hampered by delays and ballooning costs. [ID:nN19138761]
If Japan were to drop the F-35 its shortlist will be narrowed down to Boeing Co's F/A-18 Super Hornet and the Eurofighter Typhoon. Eurofighter is a four-nation consortium of EADS , representing Germany and Spain, Britain's BAE Systems and Italy's Finmeccanica .
The Eurofighter Typhoon, used by NATO nations and Saudi Arabia, would be Japan's first European fighter jet.
But the sources reckon that Japan, which has emphasised coordination with U.S. forces, could pick the F/A-18, Kyodo said.
Japan is looking to make the selection
(Excerpt) Read more at reuters.com ...
Potentially major blow to the F-35 Ping!!
I can just about guarantee it’ll be the Eurofighter, just like India will do the same. The Eurozone is shredding economically those countries that can’t keep up and will assimilate them later as proxy’s, extra man-power. America slides and Japan must link to a new power that’s not China or Russia, for their own sanity.
I don’t think it will be either. My money is on two different long-shots. Either they will somehow convince the US to reopen the F-22 line, which is the bird they want the most anyhow, or they will go in with Korea on the F-15SE Silent Eagle.
The second choice offers a number of advantages. It will increase cooperation between the Japanese and Korean defense industries and military forces (something both countries agree is necessary) and it gives them a platform that is very familiar in a lot of different ways because the JASDF already flies the Eagle and knows it well.
The Super Hornet is a non-starter because of its known limitations and lack of stealth, while I just don’t see Japan wanting to risk alienation from its No. 1 defense partner by choosing the Eurofighter.
The final deciding factor may be the F-35B variant, which I believe (official denials notwithstanding) the JMSDF is very interested in acquiring for its Hyuga and Ise class ships in the future.
Even as a layman, to restart the f-22 line seems improbable. Japan allying itself to SK would be a sign of desperation. It’s a option but will only show major weakness. It’s Europe or nothing. They flank Europe’s enemies. That’s they’re real advantage. Japan needs a infusion of something. Alliance to Europe would be it.
I agree with your appraisal of restarting the F-22 line, but I disagree with your assessment that allying with the ROK would be a sign of desperation. It would be an acknowledgment of the reality that both nations need each other if they are going to have any chance of withstanding China’s drive for regional hegemony. That’s the key issue.
There have already been a number of positive developments along that lines, including talk of a three way defense pack among Japan, ROK and India, but there is obviously some residual reluctance among Japanese and Korean military members to get too close.
That residual animosity, however, is fading rapidly among the younger officers and is not even a factor anymore among the young generation itself — in either country — who follow each other’s fashion trends, watch each other’s animes and even co-host bilingual versions of the same popular television shows.
As for the Eurofighter, I just don’t see it happening. Europe is a long ways away, the EU experiment is on the ropes, Muslim immigration and radicalization is a frightening specter...
Nope. If they can’t get the F-22 and if the F-35 boondoggle finally comes crashing down under it’s own weight, the F-15SE, jointly produced in both Korea and Japan, would be a proverbial godsend.
The f-35 is just like its name sake the p-38. A do all plane that did nothing real well.
I feel that the USA will be withdrawing throughout the world. We’re broke. Japan may have no choice but to reinforce ROK as we withdraw. They’ll need a air-superiority fighter that the enemy is unfamiliar with, to gain a advantage, which I consider the Eurofighter. Plus this’ll help them gain a new ally. Europe isn’t as helpless as they’ve made themseleves out to be. They have German armed forces and French nukes. We’ve really been protecting Eastearn europe and peace. Japan is really in a bad position and may align Russia. Don’t see them ever aligning w China.
“Japan may have no choice but to reinforce ROK as we withdraw.”
ROK isn’t going to allow Japanese troops on its soil again. The last time didn’t turn out so well.
The JASDF dropped the F-15SE from their F-X shortlist a month ago because they supposedly wanted a brand new aircraft.
Hmmmm... and how does the F/A-18E/F qualify as a “new” aircraft anymore than the F-15SE?
The reasoning given in the article (not mine!!) is that they want a new airframe which they’ve not used. I guess issues of technology transfers and new industrial agreements are also a factor there; they already built the F-15.
The first operational test will not be for another six years? Does this not seem a bit slow?
Another JSF failure.
Along with Japan and Australia's looking elsewhere, the brits recently realized their upcoming carrier won't have any aircraft when it's delivered because of JSF delays.
The conventional version needs some redesign because its actual range is short of minimum requirements.
All our allies have ditched the VTOL design, leaving the Marines the only potential customer, and even they're looking elsewhere.
They've tried to do far too much in one project. It's little surprise it's falling short all over.
For those pushing restarting F-22 assembly, it cannot fill the roles the JSF was meant for.
The scumbag Ubama and his thugs don’t like Boeing, so therefore I do like Boeing.
I hope Japan goes with the F/A-18 Super Hornet.
So why was the Boeing tanker chosen this year?? Boeing lost the earlier tanker competition held when GWB was in charge.
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2680481/posts
That decision was probably made before Boeing announced that it was moving some of its operations to a red, "right to work" state and incurred the wrath of the scumbag Ubama and his thugs.
Boeing decided to move to South Carolina in 2009.
(shrug) Who knows who greased who?
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.