If Brazil still want to upgrade surplus F-5E, then perhaps they will be the only one left in the world. The rest, just like you says found it much to uneconomical to do. For example, Indonesia being offered by ROK to take some ex ROKAF F-5E for free, in order to augment dwindling F-5E within Indonesian AF inventory. The idea is to take some of them to augment existing F-5E sq operational up to 2020+, when KFX expected to be available as replacement. However, technical inspection found out, that taking those ex ROKAF F-5E, need substantial modification to make it operational up to 2020+. Thus economically its more preferable just take some surplus F-16 in the market, upgrade them to run for another decade or so.
That’s what facing upgrade program for F-5E/F. Many other more economical alternatives available, thus replacing them entirely with surpluses refurbished F-16, Gripen or even M2000 or Mig 29 can be more attractive for existing users of F-5E /F.
Brazil isn’t going to upgrade the F-5. They need newer fighters to stay competitive against another. And no they are not the only buddies operationg the F-5’s. The Mexican Airforce is still operating the F-5 as their main modern aircraft. They need a newer and more capable fighter aircraft. I don’t think they could spend £100m dollars on a new aircraft but instead they are going to keep using the F-5. Also why would we want to make the F-5 stay until 2020+? They are already outdated and obsolete already. It’s been 2 generations since the F-5 was born. I don’t think they could stay and do the tasks longer. We need to make another better LW aircraft if you want it to stay until 2020+. F-5 is more optimized for training instead of doing combat operations. But it’s correct it’s £70 cheaper. I think we need the F/A-50 which is a more possible solution to a LW combat aircraft that’s newer.
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