DEVILFISH From Philippines, joined Jan 2006, 4423 posts, RR: 1 Posted (5 years 2 months 2 weeks 6 days 16 hours ago) and read 7231 times:
This has not been noticed with the much discussed and still hotly debated tanker threads ongoing. The Dutch MoD has indicated its decision to participate in the IOT&E phase of the F-35 program by making a down payment for two airframes in 2008 for delivery in 2011 and 2012. However, a decision to procure the fighters will not be made until 2009.....
Quote: "The Netherlands is to participate in initial operational test and evaluation (IOT&E) of the Joint Strike Fighter alongside the USA and UK, and will provide two Lockheed Martin F-35As for the multi-national test force.
The Dutch ministry of defence has informed parliament of its decision to participate in IOT&E and to make a 10% downpayment on the two F-35s in 2008, but says it will make a final decision on buying the aircraft in 2009. The two F-35s will be delivered in 2011 and 2012. IOT&E will run from 2011 to 2013."
Good that there is a chance for a counterpart to the tanker deal across the pond, and unlike in that, the American product offered is relatively cutting edge.
KC135TopBoom From United States of America, joined Jan 2005, 11705 posts, RR: 52 Reply 1, posted (5 years 2 months 2 weeks 6 days 4 hours ago) and read 7044 times:
Good deal for the F-35 program. It is truly becoming an international fighter.
Wvsuperhornet From United States of America, joined Aug 2007, 516 posts, RR: 0 Reply 2, posted (5 years 2 months 2 weeks 5 days 9 hours ago) and read 6821 times:
Quoting DEVILFISH (Thread starter): Good that there is a chance for a counterpart to the tanker deal across the pond, and unlike in that, the American product offered is relatively cutting edge.
This deal was already on the boards before the tanker deal so it has nothing to do with it. Most of the companies that signed up un the JSF program did so in the early 90's. It is cutting edge because its a fighter a tanker doesnt exactly have to be that way to do its job. The only thing that is wrong with the tankers we are using now is their airframes are wearing out, not because they are not cutting edge. But is its a good shot in the arm fo the F-35 congrats to the Netherlands.
The Netherlands defense ministry refuses to include Boeing's F/A-18E/F Super Hornet in an evaluation of potential candidates for its next-generation fighter requirement.
Lockheed Martin's F-22 Raptor also will not be considered, despite a direct request from the country's Parliament to include both U.S. fighters in an evaluation of potential alternatives to the Lockheed Martin F-35A Joint Strike Fighter (JSF).
...
In May, Parliament called for the addition of the Super Hornet, Raptor and Sweden's Saab Gripen Next Generation to the shortlist of JSF alternatives.
...
According to Jack de Vries, the Dutch state secretary for defense procurement, the F/A-18E/F had been considered as a candidate in 2001-2002 but was at that time deselected because of limitations in range, self-protection and sensors.
...
As for the F-22, de Vries points out that the aircraft is "much bigger and heavier than the JSF and requires two engines, resulting in considerably higher operating and through-life costs." The acquisition cost per aircraft would also be much higher, he says, while there is a U.S. ban on exporting the F-22 "even to friendly allies."
The defense ministry will, however, consider the Gripen Next Generation as an alternative option, alongside the three existing alternatives (the Eurofighter Typhoon Tranche 3, Dassault Rafale Standard F4 and Lockheed Martin Advanced (Block 60+) F-16E/F), de Vries says.
With the Netherlands getting two F-35 test air crafts I was under the impression they were deeply involved in the program and was their F-35 purchase was a sure thing. Is this a way for them (as well as for Norway and Denmark) to put some pressure on LM to get a price as low as possible? or would they really ditch the F-35 for one of the other 4 alternatives?
N328KF From United States of America, joined May 2004, 6222 posts, RR: 3 Reply 5, posted (4 years 10 months 3 weeks 1 day 19 hours ago) and read 6274 times:
Quoting KC135TopBoom (Reply 1): Good deal for the F-35 program. It is truly becoming an international fighter.
It is really the latest in a long line of US fighters that formed the core of allied air arms:
F-86 Sabre/FJ Fury (11,000 units)
F-104 Starfighter (2,500 units)
F-5 Freedom Fighter/Tiger II/T-38 Talon (3,000 units)
F-4 Phantom II (5,200 units)
F-16 Fighting Falcon (4,200 units)
Some of those fighters were parts of "deals of the century" (with substantial international production) and the F-35 looks to be the first one for this century.
Of course, the Soviets had some big ones, too, and lots of captive buyers who couldn't exactly shop around:
MiG-15 'Fagot' (18,000 units)
MiG-17 'Fresco' (10,400 units)
MiG-19 'Farmer' (8,500 units)
MiG-21 'Fishbed' (12,800 units)
MiG-23/-27 'Flogger' (6,100 units)
Sukhoi Su-7/-17 'Fitter' (4,700 units)
[Edited 2008-07-02 12:31:48]
When they call the roll in the Senate, the Senators do not know whether to answer 'Present' or 'Not guilty.' T.Roosevelt
F27Friendship From Netherlands, joined Jul 2007, 1113 posts, RR: 5 Reply 6, posted (4 years 10 months 3 weeks 1 day 19 hours ago) and read 6265 times:
Quoting TGIF (Reply 4): With the Netherlands getting two F-35 test air crafts I was under the impression they were deeply involved in the program and was their F-35 purchase was a sure thing. Is this a way for them (as well as for Norway and Denmark) to put some pressure on LM to get a price as low as possible? or would they really ditch the F-35 for one of the other 4 alternatives?
yes we are and no it is not.
It is not parliament but some stubborn opposition parties trying to push their agenda's (whatever is in them) through anything they can get a hold of.
TGIF From Sweden, joined Apr 2008, 273 posts, RR: 0 Reply 7, posted (4 years 5 months 3 weeks 3 days 9 hours ago) and read 5337 times:
The Dutch decision to buy 2 test aircrafts has been postponed 3 months in favor for evaluation of alternatives. This will give the Dutch until the end of April 2009 for an examination of the candidates for the successor to the F-16 (JSF, F-16 Block 60 or Saab Gripen NG).
Sponsor Message: 
From Philippines, joined Jan 2006, 4423 posts, 
From United States of America, joined Jan 2005, 11705 posts, 
From Netherlands, joined Jul 2007, 1113 posts, 
From Sweden, joined Apr 2008, 273 posts, 
Sponsor Message: 
Printer friendly format
