February 26, 2004 at 5:27 pm
Hi,
I wonder which airframes will be sent to Singapore for the evaluation of the Strike Eagle, Rafale and Typhoon? Apparantly, they want 2 of each for the evalution.
For none of the types there is one available of the variant that Singapore might buy.
Strike Eagle: I suppose Singapore would want a variant close to the F-15K. The USAF has plenty of late models of the E available: maybe E-235 and E-236 will spend some time in Singapore before they come to Lakenheath? But I don’t think a “K” has been built yet. Or a Strike Eagle with these engines.
Rafale: Will Dassault send some of its own test aircraft? I don’t think the French Air Force has any to loan? Would the French Navy loan them 20% of its Rafale fleet? And is Singapore interested in the Navy variant? I believe Rafales with the sensors in front of the windshield are very rare.
Typhoon: who can do without his Typhoons right now? The prototypes and the IPA’s are still badly needed by the manufacturers. I also think that Singapore would at least want a Tranche 2 variant.
Any ideas?
Cheers, Transall.