E2R: Mate you have a half decent list there of ships that might need replacing, sadly mate most of the countries on that list can’t afford to buy a new ship of this class let alone upgrade the ones they have. How ever you left off a few countries that are looking into this class

South Africa are looking at one but they are in partnership with the League of African Nations who will all jointly man and use the ship, not just South Africa.

Ireland are looking at a LPD/LHD class vessel as well since they are now looking at increasing their UN supporting roles on a global scale, a substantial sum has already been put aside for the project.

Canada is looking at entering the Amphibious Assult role now with a vessel of this class, though studies have been underway for the past few years, expect the RCN to announce their RFI/RFP sometime soon.

The newest member of the Carrier Club (Thailand) has been unimpressed with Chakari Narubet (911) and are now looking at selling it off and using the funds to buy a vessel more suited to disaster relief (LPD/LHD class). The RTN should never have bought their carrier in the first place, they said it was for disaster relief but in actual fact, the thing is just a floating palace for the royal family, their suite on the thing takes up just under half of one level in the vessel. It would make a great Casino in China :dev2:

Israel are looking at a vessel in this class now if only to launch UAV’s from out at sea, the dock could hold assult teams on stand by notice should a UAV spot anything.

There are a few others but you get the point, this club is the hottest ticket on the high seas, everyone wants in!

Nope, they’re going to replace them.

Oh brother, wish they would make up their minds.

Cool it guys: Flex that’s not like you to be so nasty.

Art does raise a good point about the CM170’s, I was just reading yesterday in the latest AFM about Morroco’s Marakesh Airshow and how 10 examples are in open storage there and could easily fly off into a new Third world air arm (not that I expect them to).

PII’s example also of the Hawk also needs to be recognised (By the way PII, VT-82 is the Sqdn you are refering to with the Buckeye’s- also read about them in the latest AFM- tail code F). The Hawk has gone on from strength to strength and even includes the carrier version (T-45 Goshawk) for the USN/USMC.

If we go back a decade, the catch was that future combat will not take place post mach, therefore aircraft exceeding mach would become a thing of the past. Now look at what we have- planes going supercruise. So I feel (and this is just my personal point mind you), that trainers are a fluid commodity, just like the front line force. You have to keep up with what the opposition is doing if you are to maintain your edge.

The T-33’s are like the DC-3/C-47 in the transport field: you can use them forever so long as you have the staff and crew able to maintain them to the best possible standards.

Now back to my original questions.
I see that Austria are going ahead with their upgrade for the 105Oe’s, this should be interesting, as is France finally upgrading 20 of their AJets. The question I now have is; will France’s upgrades be along those that? This will then give the French similar standards to operate to which makes sence to me.

HELP HELP MY THREAD HAS BEEN HIJACKED!

Ok guys lets cool the issues relating to the fight between the L-39 and the T-38. The main point on that issue is that they are designed for two different roles- PLEASE leave it at that.

On the issue of supersonic trainers- personally I don’t see the need and very few countries actually have bought trainers that can go past Mach. The main fundamentals are always covered in training anyway. LIFTs always introduce the front line pilots to combat and tactics then you have the trainer versions of fighters for polishing off how to handle that type once in a front line sqdn. The way I see it, only countries with loads of money to throw around need even bother adding a module about supersonic flight during training and buy planes just for that purpose.

Looking around, I can only see that there were only six operators of the T-38, these were: Germany who flies their current 46 under US markings, Portugal who have retired their examples, Taiwan, who also have retired their examples, Turkey who still have 69 (including the National team), South Korea who still have 30 and the US who have 500 odd still in service (none with the USN)- (All info via Wiki).

Now getting back to my issues please.

While the T-38 was somewhat successful, it must be pointed out that some countries did operate it for the advanced training role, it’s only successor today happens to be the T-50 which as stated is the only craft today that is able to go supersonic.

Austria does indeed need new trainers and again I can only point out that with their limited budget, the MB-339’s sitting there in NZ. It fits all the same weapons that are currently in use, can take up the the secondary role with no hastle. All their needs are able to be met with these planes.

Same could be said for Belgium really.