Germany – one of the main partner of Eurofighter (the least brocken at least…), is ready to scrap all nuclear reactors by 10 years: it has been decided already.

Really, it should be obvious that a country ready to take such dramatic mesures for politically correct reason wouln’t hesitate to embargoe India in a wink if the country is not politically correct enough in the future with the made in Germany killing machines.

That’s a strong point which have not been discussed but it should weight too. Weapons are not normal business.

Again another silly clutching at straws attempt at talking down the Eurofighter consortium!

Germany is a significant and trusted arms producer with contracts around the world! I haven’t heard any noise about Germany being embargo happy when it comes to defence sales? Germany has already sold significant amount of defence equipment to India including submarines.

My hunch is if there is to be another USS Enterprise it will be one of the new America class LHA coming into production. There is a degree of logic if all future Super Carriers are named after former presidents whilst the new LHA use famous historic names like America and Enterprise.

No but USMC might*. Since IFF JSF dies Gripen-N will fit the USMC’s expeditionary needs far betterer than SHornet. And if USMC buys it then it will end up on supercarriers.

* not terribly likely that the US is going to buy a relatively cheap airframe to replace the programme of the century though even if it does die.

Again not a chance!

Sea Gripen can’t operate off the USMC current or future LHD. If the F35 program as a whole is canned and the USMC is forced to operate fixed wing fast air off the Super Carriers they will buy Super Hornet to fit in with the current USN logistics base regardless of its size.

Trying to buy jets built in a Swedish factory is hardly going to get far with congress or the procurement committees, even if it was licensed built the cost of setting up the production would exceed the cost of just buying Super Hornet.

Sorry its a nice romantic idea but an utter non starter!

A review of what exactly the IAF wanted might also be good.

All new MRCA to be purchased from one company
IAF wants multi-mission, long-range, mid-air refueling capable jets

Well that’s nice a report written in 2007!

Well…

On his part, Mr. Longuet sought to impress that in the MMRCA deal, the French had a unique distinction. “We have one single speaking partner [Dassault] instead of four partners [European firms from Italy, Germany, Spain and U.K]…,” he said.

The French military equipment comes with three points — guarantee of availability of spares, no restriction on the use of equipment and offer to upgrade equipment as technology evolves

It can also be argued that having four nations supporting EADS gives more clout then just one. Also Eurofighter consortium are guaranteeing parts, there is NO restriction on the use of equipment/technology and promising to upgrade equipment as technology evolves! In other words another clutching at straws non story! It should be also noted that Eurofighter consortium are offering more when it comes to local production.

Also comments like this:

Indian Air Force (IAF) officials are believed to be rooting for the Rafale

Find me a single Indian Air Force official who will say that on record! If not its just another opinion plucked out of thin air! all reports are the Indian test team were VERY impressed with Typhoon as they were with Rafale for that matter! Stuff like this is just unsubstantiated whistling in the air!

This is what gets up my and other Typhoon fans noses! Constant suggestions that somehow the Eurofighter consortium can’t offer as much, unable to deliver what India want or are somehow corrupt usually based on unknown sources and random opinions.

Which means an extra two carriers operated by a closely allied nation like the UK will be welcomed.

Far more aircraft could be packed onto a QE class if wanted then is usually stated.

Well the Indian airforce disagree with you Bluewings! Typhoon met the requirements to get through to the final part of the contest so clearly they feel the Typhoon development schedule can fit into their plans. All manufacturers agree that the test criteria was fair and tough so Typhoon is not there as a make weight competitor. Unless you believe the evil BAE SYSTEMS bribery stories which seem to be endemic amongst our Francophile posters here. The AESA technology planned for Typhoon is already mature and Selex has plenty of experience with it, actually more so then many other European manufacturers!

Please stop with these borish theories!

Well once they have chosen the Cats and traps, built the carrier and purchased the aircraft I hope they persuade Eric “Winkle” Brown to come out of retirement for the qualification trials! He is a sprightly 92 years old and it doesn’t seem right that anyone else should qualify a new jet on a British carrier!

Eric performing first landing of a jet on a carrier

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q2N-BSWlVcI&feature=player_embedded

An utter god of a pilot! Learned how to fly a helicopter by reading the flight notes and going for a spin around the airfield!