The Future of the F-35 Italy cuts back

[Windigo]

Some new negative press:

http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/story/2012/03/26/pol-f35s-fighter-jets.html

The fact that they might not be the right birds for us only goes to guarantee that we'll buy them!!  ::)

how was the Hornet not a right buy?

[LongBlade]

Some new negative press:

http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/story/2012/03/26/pol-f35s-fighter-jets.html

The fact that they might not be the right birds for us only goes to guarantee that we'll buy them!!  ::)

I'll be the Brits can get a deal on them with screen doors included for no extra charge ;)

[Centurion40]

Some new negative press:

http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/story/2012/03/26/pol-f35s-fighter-jets.html

The fact that they might not be the right birds for us only goes to guarantee that we'll buy them!!  ::)

how was the Hornet not a right buy?

I would have bought a mix of F-16s and and A-10s & saved some $$, but overall I'm fine with the Hornets.

However, might I interest you in a sub?

[Steelgrave]

However, might I interest you in a sub?

I dunno, does it come equipped with the screen doors LB mentioned?  :o

[Centurion40]

Why, there's no front door at all!

[MIGMaster]

I'm really starting to think we should be going with Super Hornets as the number of F-35's is dropping rapidly. Australia has ordered 2  :o Doesn't make much sense to me ??? We're going to end up fighting in asymmetrical warfare scenarios with an aircraft equipped for air to air and stand-off strike missions.... Meanwhile we still have no dedicated helo gunships or close air support which would be more relevant to our current operational needs.

[LongBlade]

We're going to end up fighting in asymmetrical warfare scenarios with an aircraft equipped for air to air and stand-off strike missions.... Meanwhile we still have no dedicated helo gunships or close air support which would be more relevant to our current operational needs.

I dunno. Everyone seems to make the mistake of planning for the last war. I certainly don't want to see two well-organized militaries tangle, but deterrence is part of the game.

I agree that two jets is not likely to get Australia very far, though they will look good at air shows. 

[Centurion40]

I'm really starting to think we should be going with Super Hornets as the number of F-35's is dropping rapidly. Australia has ordered 2  :o Doesn't make much sense to me ??? We're going to end up fighting in asymmetrical warfare scenarios with an aircraft equipped for air to air and stand-off strike missions.... Meanwhile we still have no dedicated helo gunships or close air support which would be more relevant to our current operational needs.

We (Canadians) need to look long-term.  In the next 20 years, who are we likely to face in combat?  Are we going to face a major military power like Russia or China in a total war?  Or are we going to be in more smaller wars like Afghanistan and/or peace making/keeping ops?  What is the bang for the buck?

I'd vote for a dozen F-35s (or Super Hornets or Rafales) to keep the Russkies and UFOs at bay.  Then I'd try to get my hands on a lot more A-10s or AH-64s for ground support.

[Windigo]

I'm really starting to think we should be going with Super Hornets as the number of F-35's is dropping rapidly. Australia has ordered 2  :o Doesn't make much sense to me ??? We're going to end up fighting in asymmetrical warfare scenarios with an aircraft equipped for air to air and stand-off strike missions.... Meanwhile we still have no dedicated helo gunships or close air support which would be more relevant to our current operational needs.

I say go for a self defence force as 1st priority, then go with an uber equipped land force for our overseas dalliances... the ameros can provide cap .... hell if they get that magrail gun working properly it will dominate!

[Staggerwing]

... the ameros can provide cap .... hell if they get that magrail gun working properly it will dominate!

I think I prefer 'Amis' or 'Muricans to 'Ameros'. The latter sounds too much like a unit of currency in a post-apocalyptic
amalgam of the US and MeHico...

[Windigo]

... the ameros can provide cap .... hell if they get that magrail gun working properly it will dominate!

I think I prefer 'Amis' or 'Muricans to 'Ameros'. The latter sounds too much like a unit of currency in a post-apocalyptic
amalgam of the US and MeHico...

Ameros (LIKE ARROWS) rolls off the tongue so nicely it has a bit of sci-fi poetry to it. But it can be changed to Amis if you like. Amis sounds French though and some people here don't seem to like the french

[MIGMaster]

I always used the term Yanks until I found some people from the Southern US that were offended - then I laughed and mocked their southern drawl and that was the end of my career in tourism. Tune in next week when I tell you about my brief career as a milk man  ;)

[Steelgrave]

Tune in next week when I tell you about my brief career as a milk man  ;)

There are a lot of kids along your route with eyes that match yours???

[Centurion40]

Tune in next week when I tell you about my brief career as a milk man  ;)

There are a lot of kids along your route with eyes that match yours???

Nope.  :)  Nobody bought his milk!!  ;)  ;D

[MIGMaster]

Eeooh...I even find that disturbing  ;)