BEST FIGHTER FOR CANADA

Another Danish tragedy... To F-35 or not to F-35-that is the question: Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer The high operating costs and low availability rate, Or to take arms against the American Military Industrial Complex, And, by opposing, send them a clear message. To choose, another- No more-and buy another jet The setbacks and the overwhelming costs But stealth is needed and "Fifth Generation" Devoutly to be wished.  F-35:  Foregone conclusion? After a long (but not by Canadian standards) process , Denmark has chosen the F-35A Lightning II to replace its aging fleet of F-16s.   When one takes a closer look as to why  the F-35 was chosen, it becomes clear that something was rotten in the state of Denmark.  There is likely a very good reason why Saab bailed out at early stage . This left the JSF, the Typhoon and Super Hornet as possible contenders. Sandbagged Super Hornet Some Danish pilots have gone o...

Not going to happen. Saab has declined to enter a bid in Denmark's recently announced fighter competition to replace its aging F-16 fleet. "We are grateful for the invitation to tender, but as on all occasions like this, we have undertaken an analysis of the situation and choose not to respond to the invitation,"  Like Canada, Denmark hit the "reset button" on its F-35 purchase after concerns about the JSF's price, performance, and reliability.  It is now comparing the Eurofighter Typhoon, Boeing Super Hornet, and F-35.  Dassault's Rafale was apparently left out . Saab's exact reasons for declining Denmark's request for binding information (RBI) are unclear, but seems pretty safe to assume that it believes the competition is heavily weighted in the F-35's favor.  Like Canada, Denmark is a "Level 3" industrial partner in the JSF program. It could be more complicated than that, however.   Recent success in Brazil , combine...

The contenders. The nation of Denmark has now declared a fighter competition to replace its aging fleet of F-16 Fighting Falcons. Much like Canada, Denmark's government was forced to implement a " reset " thanks to political unsavoriness regarding the F-35.  Concerns over high costs, performance, and availability forced the Danes to take a closer look at the alternatives . Denmark is still considering the F-35, but will evaluate it alongside the Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, Eurofighter Typhoon, and the Saab Gripen E.  Conspicuous by its absence is the Dassault Rafale. The similarities between Denmark and Canada's F-35 procurement are hard to ignore.  Both countries are Level 3  partners in the JSF program that have been forced to reevaluate their purchases.  Both have been forced to reduce their planned fighter buys due to costs.  Both countries have also shown a traditional preference for American built military equipment.  This woul...