tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4384856123558926763.post4397207664885747095..comments2023-07-11T09:57:54.828-03:00Comments on BEST FIGHTER FOR CANADA: Does Boeing have a "Plan B" for Canada?Doug Allenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10504832466775445050noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4384856123558926763.post-33013952012392180092014-03-07T03:21:42.476-04:002014-03-07T03:21:42.476-04:00Losing the $3.1 billion until 'the military ca...Losing the $3.1 billion until 'the military can spend it' seems a strange way of putting things unless the military has decided that the answer to bestfighter4canada is hardly any fighters for Canada! After all at current prices of $120 million for an F-35 that's only the equivalent of 25 aircraft. Even with the Typhoon at $80 million it's only 38 aircraft. So is the real story here that the government has actually decided to leave the countries defences in the hands of the US and not bother?Doug Allenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10504832466775445050noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4384856123558926763.post-68277484210459245542014-03-06T16:16:08.195-04:002014-03-06T16:16:08.195-04:00I'm not as optimistic as you about Boeing futu...I'm not as optimistic as you about Boeing future on the fighter jet market (forgive me... pessimism is a French thing!). USA made a clear choice : Lockheed will be the last man standing as the US fighter jet manufacturer. In addition, we can see this choice is mainly political because on the operational side we know US Navy asks for more Super Hornet. <br />Continued production on export sales alone seems doubtful and becomes more and more unlikely : as you stated, with the probable (though unfair) failure in South Korea, it is difficult to see any more order for F-15, and without USN orders Super Hornet must either get an export sale in the next six months or slow production to get little more time, despite little hope...<br /><br />Partnership with Saab is interesting but I don't see consequences for Boeing yet : To compete on the T-X program, teaming up with an American company is mandatory for Saab. The result can be interesting. But, as far as combat jets are concerned, Boeing seems to have nothing to win with Saab : unless USA purchase Gripen, Saab will already get enough difficulties to include Brazil and Swiss partners in Gripen E/F design and production. So Boeing would provide Saab commercial support and, in exchange... get money at each sale? That's not clear in my mind so... wait and see.<br /><br />All that is bad news for Canada : In my opinion, there is now even more <br />chance you will stick to the F-35, even without an open competition. It <br />seems that many saw Super Hornet as the only true alternative to F-35. Damn "buy American" thing!Doug Allenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10504832466775445050noreply@blogger.com