F-35 - International Participation

OPSSG

OPSSG

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https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1552735431598514176
More background on the German interest on 35 F-35As (with 2 spare engines) on the heels of the State Department approval of the sale — the F-35A purchase is for the nuclear sharing mission, replacing its nuclear-capable Tornados by 2030.

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1552747119332962304
The more interesting aspect of the announcement is the weapons purchase to support the platform that includes 2 AIM-9X, 2 JASSM-ER and 10 SDB-II per F-35A; along with a munitions package to re-stock AIM-120C8s, GBU-24s and GBU-54s for the Luftwaffe.

Germany will seek to also develop Electronic Warfare capability for Typhoon, which is good news for Leonardo, both directly and via Hensoldt, and for the UK-Italian AESA Mk2 radar.
 
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swerve

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The weapons will be because German or part-German weapons aren't integrated on F-35 & it isn't worth Germany paying for integration for a small fleet of F-35.

ITAR compliance shouldn't be an issue for US sales of JASSM-ER to Germany. Perhaps MTCR was meant. But MTCR is not generally applied to NATO members by other NATO members, so again, not an issue.
 
OPSSG

OPSSG

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https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1582350432453931008
1. More progress on Singapore’s planned acquisition of 4 F-35Bs — with the 425th Fighter Squadron’s F-16s visiting & training with US Marines & their F-35Bs, to learn more about VLO CONOPS.

2. Singapore’s F-35B order includes a new brain for Block 4.2 jets delivered after 2023 — with an improved Lockheed electro-optical targeting system & a wide-area high-resolution synthetic aperture radar (SAR) mode – dubbed “– Big SAR” to the Northrop Grumman APG-81 AESA Radar.
 
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SolarisKenzo

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Italian FACO in Cameri expected to grow to be able to maintain the entire european-based F35 fleet.

www.defensenews.com

Users of the F-35 huddle in Italy to tout joint maintenance plans

Italy hopes that pooling maintenance will encourage users to send jets to its fledgeling F-35 maintenance hub at Cameri air base in the country's north.
www.defensenews.com www.defensenews.com

Cameri's FACO currently produces italian, dutch and swiss F35s, for a total of 160 aircrafts, and is expected to receive more orders to help the american Forth Worth production plant speed up plane deliveries.
The site is expected to be the maintenance hub of the entire 600-planes fleet expected in 2035.

1671126512558.png
 
Terran

Terran

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The often attributed words of Winston Churchill come to mind.
“Americans will always do the right thing, only after they have tried everything else”
Clearly our northern neighbors live by the same. 88 F35A really was the only option. With the high degree of USAF commonality of logistical and supply, the existing Canadian infrastructures in the program as well as the small number of intended procurement building off the F35 makes far more sense than F/A18, Rafael (when it was offered) and Gripen.
 
ngatimozart

ngatimozart

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John Fedup said:
It is now apparently official, Canada is going to buy 88 F-35s. With all the other recent international orders, I imagine the pace of acquisition will be painfully slow.

Canada officially buying F-35 fighter jet for $19B to replace CF-18s
Click to expand...
First one due 2026 and whole lot received 2032 - 2034.

"The first deliveries of these aircraft are anticipated to begin in 2026, and we anticipate that we will reach Full Operational Capability with our entire fleet between 2032 and 2034."

Canada finalizes agreement to purchase new fighter jets for Royal Canadian Air Force - Canada.ca

Through Canada’s defence policy, Strong, Secure, Engaged, the Government of Canada is acquiring modern military equipment to keep Canadians safe and protected, and to support the security of our international allies and partners.
www.canada.ca www.canada.ca
.​

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1612476693968470018
 
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Gooey

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It would seem to be logical for the last FVEY member to join the club, using the same rationale as the other members and countries like Finland and South Korean, to increase New Zealand’s national security.

The F-35 has won again and again by being the most efficient and effective modern air power option; even with countries who don’t want it (Canada and Germany). It’d be interesting to see the progression of this aircraft if the New Zealand Government ever seriously examined the costed options for hard power additions to the NZDF
 
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swerve

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Gooey said:
The F-35 has won again and again by being the most efficient and effective modern air power option; even with countries who don’t want it (Canada and Germany). It’d be interesting to see the progression of this aircraft if the New Zealand Government ever seriously examined the costed options for hard power additions to the NZDF
Click to expand...
Germany is buying F-35A for one reason: it has a treaty commitment to maintain some nuclear-capable strike aircraft. Its nuclear-capable Tornados have to retire soon, & F-35A is the only realistic option to replace them. Typhoon would need modification & the integration of US nuclear weapons. This would take some time & cost a lot of money, & would create a small orphan fleet. F-35A comes already equipped for the role, & can plug into US logistics.

Germany has no intention of buying more F-35. The rest of its remaining Tornados will be replaced by additional Typhoons, equipped with a new radar & other new abilities. The older Typhoons are scheduled to be replaced by FCAS eventually.
 
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Volkodav

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swerve said:
Germany is buying F-35A for one reason: it has a treaty commitment to maintain some nuclear-capable strike aircraft. Its nuclear-capable Tornados have to retire soon, & F-35A is the only realistic option to replace them. Typhoon would need modification & the integration of US nuclear weapons. This would take some time & cost a lot of money, & would create a small orphan fleet. F-35A comes already equipped for the role, & can plug into US logistics.

Germany has no intention of buying more F-35. The rest of its remaining Tornados will be replaced by additional Typhoons, equipped with a new radar & other new abilities. The older Typhoons are scheduled to be replaced by FCAS eventually.
Click to expand...
It will be interesting to see if this intent changes once the F-35 hits IOC. Sometimes having an apple to apples comparison can change view very quickly.

Then again politics and political critters can be quite impervious to reality.
 
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Vanquish

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OPSSG

OPSSG

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John Fedup

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The possibility of Turkey rejoining the F-35 is discussed in this article. Seems like there are some obstacles, Turkey's own 5th gen project, the recently announced approval for F-16s, and getting rid of S-400s. IMO the biggest obstacle is Erdogan. He simply can't be trusted or relied upon. Better to wait until he is gone and his replacement vetted.

F-35s Back On The Table For Turkey | The War Zone (twz.com)
 
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