On present issue of AFM was reported that in consideration of the increasing(?) threat represented by increasing in Argentine Air force the RAF will deploy the Thypoon at Falklands by the end of 2007, what do YOU think?

Best regards

In the report it said that recent contacts the Argentine airforce had been more aggresive. Whilst even their best jet the Fightinghawk is no match for the F3 Tornado based at Mount Pleasent basing the Typhoon there will send a clear message to the Argentine authorities about British resolve on the matter.

I think over the next few years you are going to see several major arms corporations circling the the Libyans like moths around a light!;)

The libyans have oil money and a long shopping list.

If this is just supposed to be a 10yr stop-gap deal until the JSF is available, why not lease 24 F-14Ds from the USN?

The Tomcat would be a superior long-range strike platform and F-111 replacement than the Superbug, and would have cheaper up-front acquisition costs. Maintenance should be OK, as the D-model has modern engines and probably still some airframe life left in it, especially for land operations.

Overall, my ranking:

1) F-14D: Good strike platform, cheapest stop-gap option. Available immediately.
2) F-15E: Best strike platform, but most expensive (no lease option available). Available fairly soon.
3) F/A-18F: Not enough range to be a suitable F-111 replacement. Fairly expensive. Airframes maybe could be diverted from USN production slots for immediate availability.

The F-14D wouldn’t be a good choice on economic terms, when it retired it was the most expensive type to operate and maintain in USN service.

Even with the newer engines in the D model the maintenace hours for the F-14 are long. Considering its now out of service any upgrades or maintenance will come entirely out of Australia’s pocket even with the benefit of canabalising airframes at AMARC.

Whilst the Super hornet is a new type it is similar enough in training and infrastructure to the hornets already in service to make it the least pain option for the Australian airforce. The Super hornet is vastly cheeper to operate then the Tomcat and whilst it is deficient in range this can be made up with stand off munitions and air to air refueling.

If it’s an F-16 Block 60, I’d probably go with that over the Gripen; if not the Block 60, then the Gripen.

If we are talking new airframes I would of thought Block 50/52 would be more likely. Block 60 is kind of an interesting but expensive sideline for the UAE.

I think that any sale of F16 to Croatia will more likely be second hand MLU airframes.

Can we now expect to see a Arms Race between the Mexican Air Force and Navy! I can’t imagine the Air Force is going to be content with its little fleet of F-5’s all the while the Mexican Navy is burning up air space with its mighty FLANKERS!:eek:

Maybe Mexico’s Airforce could buy the F16 then they have their own internal cold war with the navy.:diablo:

That’s why I believe another aircraft to the mix is likely……….:eek:

:rolleyes:

What are the Airframe hours like on the late build F14D at AMARC?

I will be interested to see if the F14’s at AMARC end up as drones like the
F4’s.

Not on subject but have a look at the top right picture on page 7.

Interesting how dirty and scorched the F.3 Tornados fins are I presume from the thrust reversers.