Military Aviation News and Discussion

[ngatimozart]

Qatar has gone on a spending spree acquiring combat aircraft.

• 24 Eurofighters
• 36 Rafales
• 36 F-15QA
• 24 AH-64E

At present it operates 12 Mirage 2000 and 6 Alpha Jets.

 

[Milne Bay]

Qatar has gone on a spending spree acquiring combat aircraft.

• 24 Eurofighters
• 36 Rafales
• 36 F-15QA
• 24 AH-64E

At present it operates 12 Mirage 2000 and 6 Alpha Jets.

I really don't get this.
That makes five distinctly different fixed wing lines, with the associated training and serviceability that goes with them.
Add the costs of spares and trained personnel to keep them flying, and it is a dog's breakfast.
Qatar seems to be walking in the footsteps of Malaysia and Indonesia.
?????
MB

 

[ngatimozart]

I really don't get this.
That makes five distinctly different fixed wing lines, with the associated training and serviceability that goes with them.
Add the costs of spares and trained personnel to keep them flying, and it is a dog's breakfast.
Qatar seems to be walking in the footsteps of Malaysia and Indonesia.
?????
MB

Me either. This is the same country that bought 8 C-17A. They have 4 C130J ordered a E-7A Wedgetail and a KC-30 MRTT as well.

 

[south]

Buying friends and influence....

 

[John Fedup]

Buying friends and influence....

Exactly right and they could make one more by offering a couple of those under-utilized C-17s to NZ. The US would welcome this offer.

 

[swerve]

Me either. This is the same country that bought 8 C-17A. They have 4 C130J ordered a E-7A Wedgetail and a KC-30 MRTT as well.

Two A330 MRTT (only called KC-30 by the RAAF), confirmed by Airbus, & reportedly three Boeing 737 AEW (only called E-7A Wedgetail by the RAAF), but the 2014 reports of a buy of 737 AEW seem to have gone very quiet. It's not listed as a customer in any Boeing statement I've found. Does anyone know more?

I'm not sure if the Emir just likes shiny toys or has some real aim in mind.

Ah well, the Mirage 2000s should be up for disposal when the rest start arriving.

 

[Blackshoe]

Two A330 MRTT (only called KC-30 by the RAAF), confirmed by Airbus, & reportedly three Boeing 737 AEW (only called E-7A Wedgetail by the RAAF), but the 2014 reports of a buy of 737 AEW seem to have gone very quiet. It's not listed as a customer in any Boeing statement I've found. Does anyone know more?

I'm not sure if the Emir just likes shiny toys or has some real aim in mind.

Ah well, the Mirage 2000s should be up for disposal when the rest start arriving.

The thing I love about rich Gulf Oil countries is that they are the one group in the world whose pocketbooks can fully buy their dreams, so they end up making a bunch of big buys that often seem to be of the "Hey, why not?" variety.

 

[Todjaeger]

Qatar has gone on a spending spree acquiring combat aircraft.

• 24 Eurofighters
• 36 Rafales
• 36 F-15QA
• 24 AH-64E

At present it operates 12 Mirage 2000 and 6 Alpha Jets.

When were these most recent orders placed and/or contracts signed?

Was it before or after June when five Mideast countries broke off diplomatic relations with Qatar? There are some 'interesting' rumours I have heard about why the countries broke ties with Qatar, which in turn led to Qatar restoring diplomatic relations with Iran.

 

[swerve]

The 24 Eurofighters have only just been bought, as have 12 Rafales, which were originally options.

 

[ngatimozart]

Boeing is negotiating the take over of Embraer. Apparently they are awaiting the approval of the Brazilian govt. However this is definitely not a given because the Brazilian President is against Boeing have full ownership of Embraer. So this deal could have a different outcome with Boeing only having partial control of Embraer.

 

[KiwiRob]

Boeing is negotiating the take over of Embraer. Apparently they are awaiting the approval of the Brazilian govt. However this is definitely not a given because the Brazilian President is against Boeing have full ownership of Embraer. So this deal could have a different outcome with Boeing only having partial control of Embraer.

I can't see the Brazilian govt allowing this to go ahead, this is a kneejerk reaction to Airbus buying into the C-series program.

 

[ngatimozart]

I can't see the Brazilian govt allowing this to go ahead, this is a kneejerk reaction to Airbus buying into the C-series program.

I don't think it's a knee jerk reaction. There's been cooperation between the two companies over the last few years. But you are right about the Brazilian government. Embraer is seen by the Brazilian government as a source of national pride and I suspect is a national strategic asset.

 

[Ananda]

Isn't the Brazilian PM already stated that they will not give up ultimate control on Embraer..but open for new investor ?

Guess means if boeing comes..it will be on strategic partnership..like Airbus bought majority control on C series project, but not the control of Bombardier..

I suspect Boeing interested same thing, that they will try to come as strategic partner to get control on project basis like E series, but not Embraer as the wholle..

 

[ngatimozart]

Isn't the Brazilian PM already stated that they will not give up ultimate control on Embraer..but open for new investor ?

Guess means if boeing comes..it will be on strategic partnership..like Airbus bought majority control on C series project, but not the control of Bombardier..

I suspect Boeing interested same thing, that they will try to come as strategic partner to get control on project basis like E series, but not Embraer as the wholle..

Yep the Brazilian govt hold a Golden Share that gives the govt veto power over any change of control.

Boeing Seeks Embraer Control, With Defense Safeguards

 

[t68]

On the ninemsn website it suggesting that Airbus may stop building A380 if Emirates dosnt commit to a long term deal.
Wonder how that will impact the A400M line long term

Can't past the link for some reason, it's under the heading

" Worlds largest passenger jet heading for the scrap heap"
By Richard Wood

 

[vonnoobie]

Few articles on it but main points in them

• Require 6 aircraft per year for 8 to 10 years for viability
• Emirates considered only airline that can save it
• With out using the single class lay out it is apparently near impossible to make a profit off of them
• Killer blow to the aircraft is the zero second hand market and inability to convert them to freighters.

Was never going to be the saving grace for aviation, The economics of it required it to be filled to capacity all the time for major profits and that is just something that would never happen, No one wants to be sitting on a plan with 800+ people all crammed together for a long haul flight.

Economics dictate more packed to capacity better you are off, Common sense dictates your more likely to pack out a medium sized plan then a mega plane.

 

[John Fedup]

One of the 747's main advantages was its cargo version and combi versions. IIRC, an earlier design jumbo was Boeing's losing bid for the USAF's strategic lifter in the mid 1960s which was won by Lockeed's C-5. Boeing took their "loser" and adapted it for the commercial market as per a request from Pan Am. I am guessing there were about 10 times as many 747s built compared to the C-5, pretty good for a loser!

 

[KiwiRob]

On the ninemsn website it suggesting that Airbus may stop building A380 if Emirates dosnt commit to a long term deal.
Wonder how that will impact the A400M line long term

Can't past the link for some reason, it's under the heading

" Worlds largest passenger jet heading for the scrap heap"
By Richard Wood

Emirates committed to an additional 36 frames, 20 firm and 16 options, this confirmation has also lead to increasing talk about BA purchasing more, the have 7 purchase options, and a whole slew of 744's to replace in the next few years whilst operating out of one of the most slot constrained airports in the world, more A380's for BA is almost a dead cert if ever there was one.

 

[swerve]

IAG's said it's considering buying some, which suggests it has possible lease customers. The threat of a shutdown may have woken up a few airlines which weren't in a hurry but now see a risk of missing out.

 

[ASSAIL]

It seems like the NH 90 has won the ire of yet another customer, Norway. Their acquisition started in 2001 so we haven't done too badly in Australia after all when compared with others experience.

Norway Perplexed What to Do With 'Nightmare Helicopters' After Decade's Delay