We already discussed that some time ago in the aircraft carrier thread. I don't think it will happen at all. If
We already discussed that some time ago in the aircraft carrier thread. I don't think it will happen at all. If
Sirf_palot
New Member
So, any one knows whether or not F-35 deal is going to go through for the ASDF, I heard that they lost a substantial amount of F-2s due to the Tsunami.
MwRYum
Major
18 F-2B for their training squadron, word is that they're trying to salvage whatever they could, as far as to piece together as many flight worthy airframe as possible.
Mr T
Senior Member
No, because no one can know anything at this point. It was only last month that the Japanese government said it was proceeding with the F-X programme and would be taking bids. Proposals aren't due until September.
But if the loss of F-2 trainers is a deciding factor, the F-35 won't be chosen because it would take ages to get the planes to Japan. Only the Eurofighter and Boeing could get the planes to Japan in time to make a difference.
Spartan95
Junior Member
Given the need for massive reconstruction in Japan following the devastating earthquake and tsunami, and the current state of their finances, I don't think Japan will be in any rush to commit to large military hardware purchases it has not already budgeted for.
It would be more reasonable for them to work through their finances and see how much the government needs to spend on reconstruction. Thereafter, they will have to figure out how much they can afford to spend on military hardware procurement. The F-X programme will probably take some time to evaluate the options, hence providing the time to determine the financial resources available.
MwRYum
Major
Japan's F-X programme have preserving their own industrial capability in mind, but F-35 deal won't allow local production, neither does Japan an active investor in the programme, should they really decided to make such a sacrifice they ain't gonna get their first delivery before 2020 (for Asia, you got Singapore and S.Korea queued in front) unless US would allot some from their own orders, which could cause some problems among other participents.
Plus, with the massive re-construction + clean-up effort ahead, Japanese gov't have their plate full, I won't be surprised if they'd have to scale back their military budget for the next few fiscal years to meet the commitment. If such, many ongoing plans will have to proceed in low gear if only to keep them alive.
That said, with China's non-stop momentum of military growth, Japan will have no choice but to look up to the US for more military protection, more so than anytime before in history. Of course, Japanese will really have to suck up with US military presence in Japan, no matter which camp going to take the office in the coming years.
Plus, with the massive re-construction + clean-up effort ahead, Japanese gov't have their plate full, I won't be surprised if they'd have to scale back their military budget for the next few fiscal years to meet the commitment. If such, many ongoing plans will have to proceed in low gear if only to keep them alive.
That said, with China's non-stop momentum of military growth, Japan will have no choice but to look up to the US for more military protection, more so than anytime before in history. Of course, Japanese will really have to suck up with US military presence in Japan, no matter which camp going to take the office in the coming years.
Mr T
Senior Member
Actually I wouldn't be surprised if Japan keeps on with the F-X programme as currently scheduled. It has already been delayed a number of years and the planes it needs to replace aren't getting any younger. Sure, Japan has had to spend extra money on reconstruction, but the F-X programme is a drop in the ocean in comparison. There's no point in delaying further.
Japan already spends so little on defence as a percentage of GDP that there would be little point in cutting the overall defence budget.
Sirf_palot
New Member
Mr T
Senior Member
The potential side-lining of the F-35 due to its poor availability is yet another reason to believe that there won't be further (significant) delay to the procurement plan. Personally I've always thought it was a non-starter for that reason.
MwRYum
Major
No doubt the Japanese wants the top-of-the-line air defense fighter for their F-X project, with stealth as the benchmark of things that's why they initially insist on F-22, but as we all know the US won't sell it to anyone else, went as far as to shut down the production line by this year even; that'd put the F-35 but as we all know it's plagued by cost overshot and delays - especially the delay, even by current timeline it'd not make it in time of F-4EJ (winning candidate of the F-X project is to replace F-4EJ) retirement.
Now about the Typhoon and F-18E/F...both doesn't have the problem concerning local production license as would be with F-22 and F-35, but either way JASDF will be breaking the tradition of using what USAF using...
Now about the Typhoon and F-18E/F...both doesn't have the problem concerning local production license as would be with F-22 and F-35, but either way JASDF will be breaking the tradition of using what USAF using...