Four bidders are to contest Denmark’s next-generation fighter requirement, after Copenhagen decided to consider alternatives to its planned procurement of up to 48 Lockheed Martin F-35As.
Boeing, the Eurofighter consortium and Saab have been approached to provide information about their respective F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, Typhoon and Gripen E platforms, as part of a process to be conducted within the framework of the Danish defence agreement for 2013 to 2017.
“We are ready to develop a strategic partnership with Denmark and provide opportunities for significant collaboration with Europe’s leading industrial nations,” says Eurofighter chief executive Enzo Casolini. The Typhoon had previously been on offer to Copenhagen, until then-campaign lead company EADS withdrew from the process in late 2007, alleging that it was skewed in favour of the F-35.
Selection of the Typhoon would result in reduced costs for the Royal Danish Air Force, through “logistics, training and interoperability during coalition missions”, Eurofighter claims. Its multi-role combat aircraft is already operated by core programme partner air forces Germany, Italy, Spain and the UK.
Saab, which has long pitched its next-generation Gripen as a potential choice for Denmark, points to Sweden’s recent commitment to acquire 60 E-model examples, along with a planned Swiss air force order for 22. In a statement, the manufacturer cites its ability to deliver an aircraft with “operational capabilities that are second to none, and to a cost for operating that appeals to ministers of finance and taxpayers”.
“We are looking forward to receiving more information about the process [in Denmark],” says Lennart Sindahl, head of Saab’s aeronautics business area.
Denmark’s involvement as a Level 3 partner in the F-35 programme has been set at the potential procurement of up to 48 aircraft in the Joint Strike Fighter’s A-model conventional take-off and landing configuration. Lockheed had previously said that it expects the nation to make a decision on buying the type later this decade.
The selected combat aircraft will replace the Royal Danish Air Force’s current inventory of Lockheed F-16s. Its fleet totals 36 AM-variant fighters and 11 two-seat BM-model trainers, which Flightglobal’s MiliCAS database records as having been delivered between 1980 and 1989.
The Danish Air Force has reportedly evinced interest in evaluating the Gripen NG, Eurofighter Typhoon and F/A-18E/F. It sent RFIs to the respective manufacturers in this regard.
This raises plenty of questions that could be debated on this thread-
1) Why is the Dassault Rafale missing from this list? Surely it is one of the most capable of the 4.5 gen fighters and has a secure future development path and a likely production run that may even exceed that of the F/A-18E/F and Gripen-NG.
2) What factors prompted this change of plan from sole-source F-35 procurement to the new competition? F-35 cost escalations and delays or other factors as well?
3) How might a non-F-35 procurement affect Danish workshare on the F-35?
Will this be a fair fight with a real evaluation including flight trials like the Swiss competition or is it going to be another paper evaluation that loads the dice in favour of the F-35?
Are there any specific Danish requirements that might be best met by any one of these 4 jets or is it primarily a preference for ease of Coalition operations?
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March 19, 2013 at 5:15 am