Typical budget problems. The RAF wants more planes so the MOD needs to decided whether to buy more F-35s or more Eurofighters. I’d rather they went the Eurofighter route, but I imagine hat’s a hard argument to make with the bean counters when an F-35 costs about the same, can be used on the carriers, and is stealth.
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And IIRC final assembly would probably be at Warton.
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Politics are not allowed on this forum, so I have to be careful.
But given the results of a certain recent election and the implications thereof. I suspect that Typhoon may become more favoured than it has been
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I saw a video on this topic a couple days ago
Even if the EF lacks stealth, supporting domestic defence industry is a much bigger advantage so it’s a shame Britain went this route.
That’s due to the US delaying the software and hardware updates lmao
The new AH-64Es have Brimstone already integrated, it’s a cost per missile thing (JDAM is 319k, current gen brimstone is about 3x than give or take, for context JDAM’s unit cost is about the same as a 1st gen brimstone inflation adjusted, The army doesn’t had the budget for 3000 Brimstones right now, given other procurement programmes. I wouldn’t be surprised if AAC AH-64E “borrow” RAF Brimstones when needed). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xUbdkLnh1kA
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Also Poland now that I remember.
They haven’t done anything yet; we’re in a middle of a defence review so nothing will happen for at least a few more months either.
So far all that has happened is some bloke at the RAF was interviewed and suggested that if they were going to be given money to buy more aircraft he’d lean towards the F-35 based on their current needs.
The UK has a lot more Typhoons than we do F-35s (I’d argue we don’t have enough of either), and only the F-35 is carrier capable so I can see the arguments in it’s favour.
Also Tempest is supposed to replace the Eurofighter and enter service in 2035. So that is probably factoring in to things.
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I think it’s more a Tempest thing, That’s supposed to be flying by the end of the decade, and IOC by 2035, “current” (i.e. the last public announcements) RAF plans have Eurofighter out of service by 2040, and F-35 doesn’t currently have an out of service date. Makes more sense when you look at it like that. Thought with all the issues with Lockheed-martin the last couple of years I wouldn’t be surprised if that changes (especially with recent global political uh events).
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yeah JAGM is 336k for 2024 while Germany recently ordered brimstones at about 1 mln a piece.
they’re not the exact same thing though, brimstone has much better range.
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oh of course, but the for the same money they can have an extra 2000 missiles for the fleet, and the option of a Brimstone order is always there for the future if needed.
Ah my bad I was working off the UK’s USD 957.4 million order for 3000, that puts the cost per unit at around ~319k for that order
It’s not political to discuss procurement and multi-national defense contracts lol
Thats what I thought would happen they would share the ordinance but someone said AH-64E wont be configured for Brimstone? I’m sure in the future it will all come clear
The F-35A cant be used on carriers. The RAF would operate them independently of the FAA.
It does have parts conformity with other F-35 in service.
And its Gen 5 which is the most important thing an aircraft can be currently…
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The RAF would be buying F-35Bs, like the ones they already have.
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I believe there are people testing it for some reports. Current consensus is that its way too fast at common altitudes in WT and its overperforming in STR by 1 deg/sec if what I’m told is correct.
Apparently it also has a lower channel loss value than the F15C so perhaps it has too much thrust.
Obligatory, I haven’t tested this, i have no idea if its true or not just from my conversings with people.
Do they have allowable sources for its performance though?
No they were looking at the A model, which is produced in higher numbers and easier to acquire than the B variant…Crazy I know
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I assume so but I can’t be sure. Though the speed one is definitely allowable, so perhaps an associated reduction in thrust would fix the STR on its own
That’s not what the article says though. They were asked if they would buy the F-35A and said:
48 F-35B Lightning aircraft are on contract, and the UK has funded plans to increase the fleet to 74 aircraft with its Tranche 2 procurement.
Along with:
We will make decisions on further purchases beyond the 74 around the middle of the decade
That’s a typical government non-answer. Nothing they said confirms they were seriously considering buying F-35As, the minister just doesn’t want to be held to anything.