Hmm. The French plan has gone from 17 to 11, while the Italians have stuck with 10, & plan a new ‘patrol’ ship to supplement them that’s a frigate in all but name.

It seems that yesterday they signed the contract for 6 of these new “patrol” shpis, indeed very different from OPVs. Also a new Logistic Support Ship for Italian Navy to be delivered by 2019.

Two new ship programmes integrated into OCCAR

Provisional specifications for the 2 types:

http://www.occar.int/328

http://www.occar.int/324

If I recall well, latest accidents by Columbian Air Force Kfirs (although not block 60) posed some questions on the validity and reliability of the refurbrished A/C.
Questions that reamin in part unanswered. See, e.g., this recent document: Los aviones Kfir de la Fuerza Aérea de Colombia en tierra por problemas en los motores (you could of course use your preferred auto-translate tool if you don0t speak Spanish, for the laziest ones, partial automated translation from Spanish to English below):

The Colombian Air Force Kfir aircraft grounded by engine problems

Since last March, the Kfir aircraft remain restricted for routine flights, including the flight ban in military parades, air shows, training and patrol, only being used if an external agent is presented to generate some kind of risk for the country….
Due to recent accidents Kfir fighter aircraft fleet, …. is inspected by Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI), the aircraft manufacturer. It has also been established that, in the context of this test three engines have been sent to be checked and thus effect the guarantee offered by the manufacturer of the General Electric J79-GE-J1E.).

It is possible that these problems halted the Argentinian planned buy of the Kfirs.

The latest news is that they’re slashing F-35 procurement and going for Tranche 3B Typhoons:

When I wrote “latest news” I meant news fresh of yesterday, 23rd of May: http://www.analisidifesa.it/2014/05/f-35-litalia-forse-dimezza-ma-in-europa-e-guerra-tra-poveri/
Sorry, only in Italian, but anyway much more updated then the piece of information you scanned and posted here. The reference to cut by 50% the original number of 131 was by Member of Italian Parliament Carlo Galli, quoted in the article I just linked.

An insightful view by Tom Kington on the state of the current Italian partnership to the program: http://www.defensenews.com/article/20140522/DEFREG01/305220046

Came across this article…

Klimov JSC products serial production and manufacturers. This is from the company’s older brochure but the status remain unchanged.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]227447[/ATTACH] [ATTACH=CONFIG]227448[/ATTACH]

Ukraine and Motor Sich have been living off Klimov’s designs for over 2 decades since “independence” and even continue to get Russian finance at the cost of Russian companies. They should have ditched Motor Sich long ago and should have supported Russian companies and in-house production.

I think that article was inspired by this piece of information: http://gorshenin.eu/news/199_a_key_to_understanding_putins.html which appears much more complete and realiable.
Anyway, eventually I agree with TR1 when he says:

However, it goes both ways. They are desperate to maintain the contracts with Russia.

Ukraine would be shooting itself in the foot if they stopped this.

The fuss over that incident is ridiculous. Arrangements had been made with the Italian Air Force for precisely such circumstances. It is no different from any other joint policing arrangement, and a sensible use of limited resources given the absence of an imminent threat.

The discussion (not a mere fuss) about that recent incident was not ridicolous at all. Just think anbout a group of serious hijackers which initially indicate Geneve as the landing airport. All the Swiss special forces are quickly deployed at Geneve, very close to the limit of the French airspace, and you and the whole Swiss confederation are very happy because the French planes are escorting the hijcked airliner to the limit of their airspace- Geneve while maybe it’s just 7 in the morning and Swiss pilots are approching their airbase drinking some coffee while e.g. some French mirages are doing their work, saving some precious CHF to the Swiss defense budget.

Now suddenly the hijackers pretend to land (or just fly) on Zurich, maybe because they are aware that all the Swiss special forces are already deployed in Geneve. I know, somebody could claim: “Thats not fair!”, but who would give orders to deal with the case to the foreign planes escorting the hijcked plane over Swiss airspace? Swiss pilots are still far from swiping their badges, and maybe this senario should be fully managed by CH, or at least CH should not even bother to have an iar defense at all.

Can you see, in this hypotetical case a lack of effectiveness by CH, counting too much on friendly neighbours? It is not a fuss.
Yes, you can blame those pesky hijackers, doing their activities out of office hours, w/o previous informing the CH air defence of their needs.
But usually there are not special discounts on reservations by timely hijackers who indicate in advance their clear needs and stops on their preferntial or alternative routes. So maybe the CH should consider have an air defense service working 24/7. Gripen or not.

I know a lil OT, but it wasn’t me that started this OT.

Same user posting “smart” April jokes both in this forum and in Military Aviation. Supposedly he was born on the 1st of April, seen his enthusiasm in this kind of things, but IMHO he has to impreve his skills on the matter, hopefully not trying to practice here in the meantime.