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The RCAF's Next Generation Fighter (CF-188 Replacement)

Is "f**k Trump" really a good enough reason to make bad major defence procurement decisions that endure decades?
sure it is. After all we bought Chevys' instead of Cadillacs when we went shopping for helicopters didn't we? Getting out from under Trump is better logic than that was.
 
I just don’t understand the logic of replacing Gen 4 fighters with…Gen 4 fighters, which is what I’m afraid the GoC will do. I have a hard time seeing them going with this SAAB deal and still purchase at least 65 American Gen 5 fighters…
 
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Has anyone actually decided to cut the F35 order? Or proceed with the buy beyond the first 16 yet? Or is this still speculation?

Like some others here I am in favour of buying all 88 F35s. At the same time LM and the US have not been doing themselves any favours by letting situations like this occur:


It is not just the US that has been hurt by the Continuous Improvement exercise that has delayed Block 4 and US weapons integration. Lack of access to a continually changing software system is not going to allow foreign partners to integrate their full inventory of weapons with the F35 in a timely fashion. Development needs to happen at Ukrainian pace and that means Israeli levels of access to the codes.

Israel's F35's weapons suite

Rampage ALBM
1000 kg bomb that can be internally carried
Python 5 AAM
Spice PGM Bombs (1000 and 2000 lb)
Derby AAM
EW suite nationally procured
C4I suite that operates on top of the factory sets

As well as the US made

GBU-31 JDAM and
AIM-120 AMRAAM.

....

UK - AIM-132 and Paveway IV
Norway - AIM-120, JDAM, SDB, AIM-9X, JSM
US - AIM-120, AIM-9X, JDAM (GBU-31, -32, -38) GBU-12 Paveway II, GBU-39 SDB, B61-12 Nuclear Gravity Bomb)
....

The feel is less one of co-operation and more one of compulsion.
 
Meanwhile, how about the Gripen as an advanced trainer with combat utility?

The Swedish Air Force goes straight from the Grob to the Gripen. Is it that easy to fly? Would it make a Hawk replacement that could be an intermediate step between the Pilatus and the F35?

 
Meanwhile, how about the Gripen as an advanced trainer with combat utility?

The Swedish Air Force goes straight from the Grob to the Gripen. Is it that easy to fly? Would it make a Hawk replacement that could be an intermediate step between the Pilatus and the F35?

 
But that's not the reason the F-35 order is being cut.

We're still buying lots of kit from the US.

It's economic benefits. And for better or worse, economic benefits are a large part of defence procurement everywhere. It's not like the Americans themselves don't do the same thing.
I meant in the context of a handful or Gripen supporters here.
 
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