Contract signed?
Confirms the deal back in March and no further customer reductions.
One source claimed there are two different Rafale versions: Rafale M and Rafale B. Rafale C is the front end of Rafale M, with back end of the Rafale B.
Janes article on same: http://www.janes.com/news/defence/naval/jni/jni101105_1_n.shtml
Okay answered by own question. Primary source:
http://www.number10.gov.uk/news/statements-and-articles/2010/11/uk%E2%80%93france-summit-2010-declaration-on-defence-and-security-co-operation-56519
7 b) “to collaborate in the technology associated with nuclear stockpile stewardship in support of our respective independent nuclear deterrent capabilities, in full compliance with our international obligations, through unprecedented co-operation at a new joint facility at Valduc in France that will model performance of our nuclear warheads and materials to ensure long-term viability, security and safety – this will be supported by a joint Technology Development Centre at Aldermaston in the UK”
The UK uses US Trident missiles with their own warheads. France has its own missiles and warheads. The last set of life French tests in the Pacific were used to validate test models for no more life tests.
8 – Possibly spin up the UK F-35C on CdG first?
10 & 11 – No surprise – at least joint training and A400M spares.
12 – 14 also make sense.
15 Possibly use of RAF A330 by France.
16 Joint MALE UAV
17 Combat UCAV – a bit more pie in the sky.
18 We already know about SCALP/Storm Shadow and FASGW/ANL (and Meteor), but also future missiles.
Case in point, where did AFM news get the PoW part from?
More links:
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/world/uk-france-agree-defence-unity/story-e6frg6so-1225946982760
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/breaking-news/britain-france-create-joint-defence-force/story-fn3dxity-1225946997143
http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/DefenceNews/DefencePolicyAndBusiness/UkfranceDefenceCooperationTreatyAnnounced.htm
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/politics/defence/8098950/A-closer-alliance-with-France-will-be-good-for-Britain.html
Note PoW mentioned by name:
http://www.airforcesmonthly.com/view_news.asp?ID=2682
The problem I have with the AFM news link is – we have no primary source (MOD statement, not mentioned by Fox in the Sun link). So what was the source for PoW? And away we go with chasing shadows……
Besides whats not to say there will not be another GFC in 2020 or 2030?
And so it begins….
US & French Jointness – “FRANCE and Britain will sign tomorrow a treaty that will see the two countries test the safety of their nuclear arsenals in a joint facility in France, the French presidency announced”:
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/breaking-news/france-britain-to-test-nuclear-arsenals/story-fn3dxity-1225946702403
Argentina? UAE?
Yep 800 hours time between overhaul. Originally they had to be returned to PRC for overhaul. In 1980 Pakistan opened its own overhaul facility.
Anyone have photos of the versions and missiles mentioned? Especially the 4 AAM loadout?
F-6 with AIM-9P (the original -9J/9P version) – these were added in 1981, before this date they supposedly carried PL-2 and/or AIM-9B:
http://www.pakdef.info/pakmilitary/airforce/gallery/images/image2.jpg
http://www.pakdef.info/pakmilitary/airforce/gallery/images/7722.jpg
F-7PG with AIM-9P (AIM-9L were fitted 2004-06):
http://www.pakdef.info/pakmilitary/airforce/gallery/images/f7pg_808_02.JPG
F-16A with AIM-9P (standard 1980s loadout was 2 AIM-9L, 2 AIM-9P):
http://www.pakdef.info/pakmilitary/airforce/gallery/images/f16_84717_01.jpg
No idea of whether later versions (-9P4 or -9P5) entered service with Pakistan.
Edit: Apparently the F-16A used the -9P4.
Aegis wasn’t originally available for NATO. APAR didn’t meet UK requirements (but was a lot cheaper), hence the need for SAMPSON and SMART-L.
Clipped wing Meteor proposal
With a picture…..
Following the link for the AW159 shows the maritime version fitted with dipping sonar.
Does anyone know whether the UK version will have dipping sonar? What model of sonar is this?
Australia cleared for EA-18G
Australia has been cleared to receive the EA-18G. The last 12 RAAF F/A-18F are wired for this.
No decision has been made to proceed, but this green lights the upgrades.
Maybe EATC is part of the answer?