EU is determined to focus on European defense manufacturers for its massive rearmament project. However, there are ongoing projects such as the F-35 fighter jet acquisition that cannot be stopped.
1. Trump would simply refuse to pay the fines. Europe should do the same. It is the smart thing to do.
2. Big fines cost a lot less than having aircraft at the mercy of a country that is acting against you. Civil servants worry about budgets so they care about he fines. Leaders and the military care about defending their country ... they don't sell out their country over money.
What about developing a strategy of where all European countries band together to demand that production take place in Italy, and that other key components of the f35 be manufactured in Europe, including software development and key repair components that the US relies on for its fleet be manufactured outside of the US. Argue ~ you want us to trust you, then you will have to trust us. Put the pressure on the Lockheed Martin.
Reviewing??? Is this for real they should have already been canceled and replaced with locally sourced alternatives instead. We have now lost 3 months already and we might not have another 3. Stop talking and start doing.
Without foreign sales and partners, the F35 program would have probably collapsed. The cost overruns and technical problems leading to long delays, were massive, in fact record breaking.
There won't be another program like it.
Given that summary, dumping F35 isn't practical. And Lockheed may be able to bribe Trump to leave them alone for the next few years.
But expect European and other (former?) US sllies to buy European aircraft in non trivial numbers,as being totally dependent on US aircraft is clearly too dangerous.
Frontline states likely to buy Gripen,as it was developed by a frontine state fearing invasion by Russia, others Rafale (carrier capable) or Eurofighter.
Canada probably will buy Gripen to save money and an FU to US. And they're on another frontline,potentially!
Thank you for this comprehensive review, which must have taken a lot of research. How many aircraft are on order in total? What's the value of all those orders?
1. Trump would simply refuse to pay the fines. Europe should do the same. It is the smart thing to do.
2. Big fines cost a lot less than having aircraft at the mercy of a country that is acting against you. Civil servants worry about budgets so they care about he fines. Leaders and the military care about defending their country ... they don't sell out their country over money.
Excellent overview, thank you Hans.
What about developing a strategy of where all European countries band together to demand that production take place in Italy, and that other key components of the f35 be manufactured in Europe, including software development and key repair components that the US relies on for its fleet be manufactured outside of the US. Argue ~ you want us to trust you, then you will have to trust us. Put the pressure on the Lockheed Martin.
Reviewing??? Is this for real they should have already been canceled and replaced with locally sourced alternatives instead. We have now lost 3 months already and we might not have another 3. Stop talking and start doing.
Without foreign sales and partners, the F35 program would have probably collapsed. The cost overruns and technical problems leading to long delays, were massive, in fact record breaking.
There won't be another program like it.
Given that summary, dumping F35 isn't practical. And Lockheed may be able to bribe Trump to leave them alone for the next few years.
But expect European and other (former?) US sllies to buy European aircraft in non trivial numbers,as being totally dependent on US aircraft is clearly too dangerous.
Frontline states likely to buy Gripen,as it was developed by a frontine state fearing invasion by Russia, others Rafale (carrier capable) or Eurofighter.
Canada probably will buy Gripen to save money and an FU to US. And they're on another frontline,potentially!
Thank you for this comprehensive review, which must have taken a lot of research. How many aircraft are on order in total? What's the value of all those orders?
Great article Hans, thanks.
…ASAP