Aah, I see. Well, yes, as an Alouette-replacement the A-109 would do just fine. But don’t worry about the cabin space of the two new frigates: they will have a hangar big enough to accomodate the NH90.

Well, the pro and the contra of the NH90 have been discussed before. The Seaking is/was bigger. But apart from the Herald-disaster they where never used again for such a big rescue-ops (and thus have a cabin space which is a little bit too big). The Dutch use AB412’s for the same job with a bigger coastline. The NH90 will do just fine. They only should have bought some more.

No, the C-17 is way too big for an airforce like ours. A tactical aircraft like this is not usefull at all. On the other hand they should have joined the NATO C-17-squadron idea (as with the AWACS). I know the A400 has been delayed but that’s for all the airforces involved. And yes: the C-130 are getting old. Very old…

As for the VIP-aircraft: they shouldn’t buy any more but use commecial companies instead. The money they save that way could be invested in better and/or more stuff (or lighter tactical airlift airplanes).

I don’t think there was a competition for the NH90 or the A400 (but I’m not sure of that).

No, no, no… Wrong again. We are talking about Belgium. We don’t prepare for war. We never do: not in 1914, not in 1940, not now. And why would have to prepare for war when there is no potential enemy (Eastern Block is gone). And you don’t need JSF or Rafale to defend yourself against terrorism (new “enemy”). And even then: we don’t have a budget for such expensive airplanes anymore. A Gripen will do, just as the NH90 will do (and not the so much beloved Merlin, for most of you).

Dimitri

As stated above, you need an air defence force to defend your airspace (and that from other nations such as Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia or even Slovenja). But I don’t think the Belgian Air Component would need a JSF for that mission. Why would we need such a hightech aircraft? Opting for a well-equiped Grippen is a better choice. It can be armed as the F-16 they used f.e. in Afghanistan (two AAM, two LGB, extra fueltanks). When will we bomb anything again. Even over Kosovo we never dropped much more than two bombs at the same time. A Grippen is a good aircraft for ADF and small interdictions. Just what we need. Eurofighter? Too big. Rafale? Too big.
They should in stead buy more transport-aircraft. Say 12 in stead of 7 A-400. And some smaller tactical transport like the C-27 or C-295 to fill the gap left by the HS-748. Plus more helicopters. I still don’t understand how our neighbour can procure Apaches (not just one), Chinooks (more than one too), Cougars plus owning Lynx and whatsoever and we have to work with A-109 and the future 10 NH90 (only ten!!! Makes me laugh).

I’ll take my own country Belgium. And I’ll try to stay as reasonable as possible.

Air Component:
48 to 60 Saab Grippen to replace the F-16’s.
8 A400 (one more than the actual order)
4 CN-295 tactical airlift
1 extra Airbus A310 (or other)
10 extra NH90 (purely Troop Transport)
15 EC135/145 light utility helicopters (Training and liaison)
15 Tiger combat helicopters to replace the A109 in the ATk-role (which was a ridiculous choice)