Sintra, so both sides (Japan and Britain) have a defined set of aircraft to replace with a matching set of characteristics. They have already stepped out of the European alliance with the Meteor seeker work, so whilst nothing is concrete, I think we can at least say that it makes sense to talk.

Remember also how they had a good chat over the UK MPA, it’s not complete pie in the sky.

I´ve never said it was a “Pie in the sky”, they are talking about it, i just dont quite believe that it will end in real hardware (but delighted if proven wrong), the latest Japanese designs do seem to be quite a bit of a massive beast.

Cheers

Just some observations:
The aircraft to replace is the Tornado, that means primary mission is air to ground.

-There is a strong lobby within Luftwaffe circles for a double seater.
-The platform should be able to deliver nuclear weapons (basically B61’s), favouring an American aircraft
-The platform should have an stealthy airframe

As there is no aircraft checking all the boxes the favoured solution is a new development of a stealthy doubleseater. Yep, fat chance given the associated price tag. :stupid:
Remaining options:
F-35: not available as doubleseater, but ticks all the other boxes. The most likely outcome.
Rafale B + Neuron: never heard it mentioned anywhere. Could the Rafale carry the Taurus as it carries the Apache/Scalp, meaning togehter with 3 EFT’s ? Would the French lend the ASMP’s the same way as Americans provide B61’s ?
Eurofigher T4 + some yet to identify UAV: Some noises from industry side, but not even an acknowledgement from Luftwaffe/MOD: very unlikely.

There are only two realistic options to “replace” the Tornado, the F-35A, and the Typhoon.

Joining a yet-to-be-defined UK/Jpn fighter project: pulling a FGFA on the son of Shin Shin ? Please no !

If an actual Japan/British fighter emerges (not much chance) it will be in the mid 30´s, to replace the Phoon and the F-15/F2, in such a theoretical scenario, such an aircraft would be a possibility for the Luftwaffe Phoons replacement.

Yes.

Spiegel Online gave the following details of the trip:

Mr. Seehofer came with a 80 member delegation representing Bavarian society groups, cultural representatives, journalists, industry and agriculture. Those last two branches of the economy have been long demanding at least an easing of sanctions imposed after the annexation of Crimea, and they hope for an end to Russia’s embargo in return.

“Without Moscow, may of the world’s crises can’t be solved,” and praised Putin as “noble” for not involving himself in Germany’s domestic affairs.

Or in another words, a Bavarian delegation lead by a man who is seen has the “German Trump” wich has a chance of getting elected Chancelor for the next two or three elections of more or less “ZERO”, known for wanting to shut down the borders, talking tough to anyone but Russia (and the USA) and by ending the sanctions to Russia went “Kowtowing” to Moscow, him and Marine Le Pen, congratulations, the European and American Alt-Right do seem to like the type of political leaders who arrests their oposition… Will that change the position of Germany and the UE vis-a-vis Russia, nope.