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Fighter thins the Norwegian DefenceI feel the pain of the Norwegian Defense Force. But they're not alone. Canada, the US, S. Korea, Japan, Australia, Italy, and Spain (to name a few) are in the same boat. They don't know it yet, or rather they won't admit it yet, but this single project is gutting their defense budgets.
Norway's future fighter aircraft F-35 (JSF) becomes so expensive that the defense must find four billion of its own budget every year until 2024 to finance aircraft purchase. Everything from new submarines to uniforms, weapons, helicopters and armored vehicles hit savings target is based on the system itself will finance the purchase.
Government and Storting has certainly granted between 22 and 28 billion NOK in additional funding, but it takes between 40 and 46 billion until the last plane is delivered. Now the unions in the armed forces react, but also Chief Harald Sunde has warned of the consequences.
Not even the industrial bribery thats been set in motion can avoid the reality of the situation.
The F-35 is unaffordable.
I marvel at the idea of all these advanced nations putting all their defense eggs in one basket.
The supporters (I use to be one) know the truth. This program is collapsing under its own weight. No one will buy the full allotment of aircraft. The death spiral is inevitable.
It is a sad state of affairs, when the only aircraft we have to talk about being built is one that is so far over priced that no one can afford it. Yet the lobbyists keep pushing it and LM keeps building it. Has our economy gotten to the point where we can only afford to develop one aircraft? Could we not take the jigs out of mothballs and start to build the birds that have worked so well for us in the past? A-4, close air support. More F/A 18's, long range busting firepower. And it's not all about the aircraft, it's the fine men and women of our armed forces that will win the day, training will always win out over technology.
ReplyDeleteIt's worse for england, with both Typhoon and F 35B, the worse version..
ReplyDeletePehaps will we sell some Rafale & Gripen when they will cancel their F35
At least the Typhoon is a decent aircraft. Yeah, I know it has its issues, but at least it's something you can go to war feeling pretty confident it will do its job and come back safe.
DeleteThe F-35 is pretty much dependent on its stealth (which is totally overblown) and its high tech sensors (which so far don't work).
Countries going all in with the JSF are seriously putting their pilots' lives at risk.
The biggest difference between the F-35 and Typhoon is that the Typhoon is in service.
DeleteAre you daft???
DeleteStealth overblown? Sure, that’s why EVERY major power and most high-tech 3rd world countries are scrambling to buy or develop their own.
Sensors don’t work? Name one sensor that does not work? They are still working on more advanced aspects of the integration software, but the sensors work fine are have shown as much in Blocks 2A & 2B.
The helmet and you don't need stealth if you have speed/altitude.
Delete1. The problem that the helmet has had was related to the display of video data and jitter. Neither of which is a problem with the sensor itself which is evident in that the mission computer has no problem using the data. An upgraded helmet is already in testing that will solve the jitter and display issues.
Delete2. Speed & altitude will not save you, just ask the Mig-25 & B-1A.
Unless its low altitude...then no ground radar can see you
DeleteThe F35 is the "Bradley Fighting Vehicle" story all over again. Make something all things to all involved, and the cost goes up, performance goes down, and once this project is over everyone will be stuck with it for decades damn the consequences.
ReplyDeleteThere are VERY good reasons to fly multiple air platforms. The only "good" reason for flying a uniform platform is cost savings, and that reason ceased to exist years ago.
Dear Sol
ReplyDeleteAlthough I visit your blog often, it is first time ever I decided to comment. From european-centric point of view ( I am from Poland, and by the way, thanks for recognising Polish military and its efforts) I think that if Norway decide to quit F-35 programme, it can be fatal for F-35 in terms of European Market. You see - Norway is European equivalent of Qatar / Dubai / UAE - small, unbelievably rich country, with vast natural resources ( oil and gas mainly ). If richest European country decides it cannot afford F-35, no one else in continent will decide it can ( maybe apart from Royal Navy and F -35B )
I have an impression that the biggest winner in JSF saga will be Boeing
i'm quicker to criticize than lavish praise so when i'm upbeat, extremely pleased and impressed by what i'm seeing in the Polish military its because you've earned it. quite honestly i see a leadership role for the Poles militarily in the next few years.
Deletei didn't know that about Norway. but i do know that they are fiscally responsible and won't destroy their budget just to buy an airplane. you're probably right about Boeing being a winner from this mess but Lockheed brought it upon themselves.
i was reading some posts from my buddy Elements of Power Blog and i've noticed that he's changed his tune a bit.
he isn't defending the cost of the plane anymore. he criticizing the social welfare programs that are out of control and why we can't afford it. its a good point but we are where we are. so its obvious to all that the wheels are coming off.
Um, the F-35s cost is DROPPING.
DeleteIf you want to bitch about expensive shit, go bitch about the MV-22 at 70 MILLION a pop.
i sense a bit of emotion coming from you. are you ok? want a cookie?
DeleteReal fast does anyone have a subscription to Aviation Week? There is a new article out by Amy Butler that says that Boeing has finally gotten the Navy's attention and support for the Advanced Super Hornet: http://www.aviationweek.com/Article.aspx?id=/article-xml/AW_09_02_2013_p24-611079.xml
ReplyDeleteI would really like to know what the full article says, but I don't have a subscription. Just from the first paragraph though it sounds like the Navy has decided to take steps toward getting the upgrades for the Super Hornet.