If they want a 5th generation fighter, they have no other choice then to go for the F-35. Maybe Japan even buys LRIP airframes, to get them soon enough.
The Japanese Phantoms aren’t that old. I think the youngest airframes were build as late as the early 90’s. I guess they could afford to wait for the JSF.

You mean the same paper that lists 12 type 45 destroyers ? The same paper, that further lists the cut to 9 under equipment options ?

The tornados are taking over as the harriers are rotated out of theatre, not due to any capability issue.

They have no capability issue, sure. But it shows the Tornado can take over the job.

My point is you have either a capable enemy where you would want more the kind of a fleet carrier (E-2, F-35B, CATOBAR, more escorts), or you have an inferior opponent where a smaller carrier or LHD would be sufficient.

You certainly knew this would come:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H6h8i8wrajA
Frightening close to reality.

Being ironic is no substitute for a detailed answer. :rolleyes:

Such as yours ?

Well that is pretty much what the UK’s 1998 SDR says so actually it does seem like a great investment.

1998 the MoD had obviously more money. Since then the surfacefleet has been cut in numbers, and other programmes are deep in trouble.
60kt helicopter carriers are a luxury in my opinion. What do they offer over a Wasp or Cavour ?
Which enemy (that couldn’t do anything against your 3 1/2 escorts) would require the extra sorties you get from your oversized “through deck cruiser” ?

The potential to be fitted with catapults is great, but won’t turn B-model JSF into C-models, to explore the full potential of that change.

Given the financial situation I think it is not the best decision to go on with the project in it’s current shape.

You know that comedy with the reporter and the admiral ? “It’s 60.000 tons…”

What use is a carrier force, if you can’t efford enough escorts for it ? The UK military has only the purpose to support US forces anyway, so some more LPD’s would do the job as well.

India and Brazil are for me the most likely candidates. I couln’t imagine an aircraft that is better suited for the Indian needs. (Well, more M2K…:diablo:)

There seems to be a fair amount of speculation and some accusations in this thread. People are free to think and say almost whatever they want, of course, but I don’t see why some people have the need to come up with unfounded accusations.

Internal and external evaluations confirm that the F-35 is the only aircraft which meets the requirements set by Norway. RNoAF fighter pilots seem to be very pleased with the choice. I trust these people. Blame me as much as you want.

It is not about the decsison to go for JSF. It is about the numbers the Norwegian MOD came up.
Let’s just wait for the 4th december debrief. Maybe we get some answers then.

Some kind of computer hiccup. Delayed the testflight in light configuration a whole day.