Well, if you can provide a Goverment source from one of the JSF Partners. That claim or state in anyway they believed they were being ripped off. I for one would love to see it…………..:p
Dutch Audit Court Says JSF Costs Still Unclear, Even to MoD
http://www.defense-aerospace.com/produit/88804_us.html
some causes:
– The Ministry of Defence still has only limited access to information from the principal contractor in the
United States, Lockheed Martin, and this seems unlikely to change.
– Not all the costs to the Netherlands of the JSF programme fall within the project definition used by the ‘Replacement of F-16s’ project organisation.
2006
page: http://www.rekenkamer.nl/cgi-bin/as.cgi/0282000/c/start/file=/9282400/modules/hercb6tb
report: http://www.rekenkamer.nl/9282000/d/p396_rapport_%20jsf_engels.pdf
2007
page: http://www.rekenkamer.nl/cgi-bin/as.cgi/0282000/c/start/file=/9282400/modules/hpwl74z2
report: http://www.rekenkamer.nl/9282000/d/p427_report_monitoring_procurement_jsf.pdf
2008:
report expected to be pubilshed 29 january 2009
14-Dec-2008 : Dutch Government to Industry: See You in Court over JSF
The Netherlands is a notable player in the multinational F-35 program, as one of only two Tier 2 program partners, and the future site of a European maintenance hub. The government is still deciding whether it will join the Joint Strike Fighter’s IOTE phase and purchase 2 aircraft. Meanwhile, what was once a slam-dunk to replace RNLAF F-16s has now become a competition of sorts involving Saab’s JAS-39NG Gripen. To this point, the Dutch have invested over EUR 850 million in the F-35’s development phases.
The financing arrangements involved are highly unusual. They have now become a subject of possible legal action, as the government insists that industry players owe it more than EUR 300 million…
…
“Minister Zalm promised in 2002 that public investment in the development phase of the JSF would flow back into the public purse. In return for an investment of 858 million euros the return would include discounts on the purchase of JSFs – and ‘royalties’ (bonuses) as the JSF was sold to non-partners. The keystone of this ingenious “business case” for the JSF was business. If there was any shortfall, it was agreed in 2002 that it would be covered by industry. In 2002 the ‘hole’ in the business case was estimated at 191 million euros. Internal calculations of Defense now reveal it to be 225 million. Because the whole business case is set to expire by the year 2052, many are still not entirely clear [what the real final proceeds will be].”
[more]
http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/Dutch-Government-to-Industry-See-You-in-Court-over-JSF-05202/
So long as costs are unclear, there is no telling whether or not JSF is a ripp off. Of course, the fact that costs are unclear in it self should tell you something.
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