Denmark : OK for the 2nd phase of JSF-development

COPENHAGEN – The financial commission of the Danish Parliament gave its green light to the participation of Denmark in the second phase of
the development of the future American combat aircraft, Joint Strike Fighter (JSF), indicated Friday the ministry for Defense.
The commission accepted a financial contribution for this project.
A delegation of the ministry will sign next Tuesday in Washington
a draft-agreement (memorandum of understanding) with the American authorities.

The total participation of Denmark in this second phase, which will have a duration of about 10 years and half, will cost 105 mio USD (107 M EUR) – fixed prices 2001- and 125 mio USD (127 M EUR) in current prices, including one great part to be financed by the State.
Denmark is the third country, after Great Britain and Canada,
to contribute to the 2nd phase of development of the Lockheed Martin F-35 JSF.

The United Kingdom, placed at “level 1” like partner of co-operation,
committed itself bringing 2 billion USD in the current phase of
development, and Canada (located at level 3 as Denmark) will contribute to it to height of 150 million USD.
Italy, Norway, the Netherlands and Turkey, could also join this project.

The Danish government hopes to open new markets for Danish industry thanks to this participation in the development of the JSF, considered by the Minister for Defense, Svend Aage Jensby, “like one of the most advanced projects of technological development in the world”.
“The prospect for the Danish companies to take part in this project,
whose output will be larger than that generated at the time by the market of F-16, constituted an essential argument” in the spirit of the government and the Parliament, according to the minister.
But this contribution does not mean that Denmark already chose the JSF in order to replace in ten to twelve years the 68 F-16 of the Air Force.

Denmark had already taken part in the first phase of development of
the JSF, while contributing to it to height of 10 million USD (11 M EUR).