The Future of the F-35 Italy cuts back

[mirth]

We'll probably end-up doing nothing until our existing fleet of Hornets are u/s, then we'll lease some used Typhoons from the Brits.  Then we'll ground the Typhoon fleet after a couple catch fire in-flight because we left them in storage too long while we were sorting-out the deal with the Brits.

It will turn out that exposure to air causes the wiring in the Typhoon's to catch fire.

[Centurion40]

See, now all you need to do is drive a couple of hours northwest, and you could be Minister of National Defence! 

[mirth]

See, now all you need to do is drive a couple of hours northwest, and you could be Minister of National Defence! 

Thanks but I have enough problems as it is.

[Keunert]

i can give you some more problems if there ever is a shortage of concern Mirth.
i'll be happy to do so in my merry christian mood.

[Mr. Bigglesworth]

Ha. I was asking why can't we have the Growler EW variant like 2 years ago. Somebody buy me a Maple Danish.

[Centurion40]

That I can do.

[Mr. Bigglesworth]

Thank you, you are most kind.

[MIGMaster]

http://thechronicleherald.ca/opinion/260328-taylor-f-35-might-be-wrong-plane-at-any-cost

Now that Scott Taylor has commented, I feel uniquely qualified to offer an expert opinion.   ::)

[Mr. Bigglesworth]

Is any funding so far transferred to the replacement? Are there cancellation penalties?

[Shelldrake]

Is any funding so far transferred to the replacement? Are there cancellation penalties?

As far as I know just an investment in R&D but no cancellation penalties since a contract hasn't actually been signed.

[Shelldrake]

Retired general Lewis MacKenzie has some interesting views on the F-35 controversy in this Ottawa Citizen article.

http://www.theprovince.com/story_print.html?id=7781681&sponsor=

[Shelldrake]

Dassault is offering the Rafale as an option if the Harper government changes its mind on the F-35 purchase.
The twin engine Rafale would be an advantage in the Canadian North. The Rafale can also carry a buddy-buddy refueling pod, which is a plus for long range missions.

French plane-maker Dassault Aviation (AVMD.PA: Quote) will respond to an information demand from Canada on its Rafale fighter plane and would be ready to participate in a tender, were Ottawa to backtrack on its support of Lockheed Martin's (LMT.N: Quote) F-35, new chief executive Eric Trappier told French daily Les Echos.

"Canada is potentially the first country that could challenge the F-35," Trappier said.

"We are ready to explain what a Rafale offer could be, its operational capabilities and an industrial cooperation," he added in an interview due to be published in Les Echos' Wednesday edition.

http://ca.reuters.com/article/businessNews/idCABRE9070ZH20130108

[Centurion40]

Works for me.  But I really don't think that our current regime would go against the US Military Industrial Complex.  It's just political manoeuvring for a better price/deal.

[Windigo]

The F-35 as it stands now with its price tag IS just too expensive - and currently very much underperforming. GPS probably has the current list of fails on the F35.

I absolutely will never darken the door of the federal conservatives for 2 election cylcles if they stay the course on the F35 ... bang for buck is totally at the suckage level.

[Centurion40]

The thing is, is we buy enough Rafales from the French, they just might throw-in an aircraft carrier to sweeten the deal.  40 wants an aircraft carrier!!