Via Johan Grön MP http://manilastandardtoday.com/2013/07/03/pilots-eye-gripen-fighter-jet/

Another article where the journalist is a bit shaky on knowledge:

1 The Gripen… has a top speed of 1,552 miles per hour.

I make that mach 2.425 (assuming 640mph – mach 1 at altitude)

2 Thailand is said to have purchased 12 Gripen jet fighters

Thailand is said to have purchased… ???

I hope this was right:

A random interview conducted by the Philippines News Agency on Tuesday indicated that Air Force pilots prefer the Gripen to other fighter planes because of its long-range anti-ship weapons, air-to-air missiles and lower cost.

However, the following appears in defensenews

MANILA — Philippine President Benigno Aquino vowed Monday to acquire fighter jets, air defense radar and other equipment within three years to bolster the country’s weak air force, amid a territorial dispute with China.

“I assure you that before I step down from office, our skies will be guarded by modern air assets,” he said in a speech during a visit at an air base in Clark, north of Manila. The speech was broadcast live on radio and television.

Among these are “lead-in fighters, long-range patrol aircraft, close-air-support aircraft,” as well as transport planes, attack- and multi-use helicopters, air defense radar and flight simulators.

Perhaps I’m wrong but I wouldn’t describe Gripen as a lead-n fighter. Perhaps the president is wrong and should not have used the term “lead-in”.

http://www.defensenews.com/article/20130701/DEFREG03/307010012/Philippine-President-Vows-Rebuild-Air-Force-by-2016

Emir of Qatar announced his abdication in favour of his 33 year old English-educated son. I wonder if the new leader is an anglophile? Perhaps not if he went to a boarding school. Not always the nicest of places to be, English boarding schools (in my experience).

If the USA wanted to, a no-lfy zone over Syria is not a problem.

Issue is political will – the 25km buffer zone was sort of compromise offer and even it seems to be going nowhere. Obama does not look like the type to act without UN approval, and UN Security Council will never approve No Fly Zone due to Russian veto.

UN Security Council setup is an anachronistic joke IMO. Furthermore I see no reason why 5 countries should prevent the UN acting unless it suits them alone (and all of them).

How many aircraft are needed by France? Putting a lot of French content into 50 aircraft is less financially viable than doing the same for 150.

1. Technology
2. Technology
3. Technology
4. Local jobs
5. Defend the home islands

There is a problem looming for Japanese F-35 purchases, in the opinion of ex-defence miinister (up to December 2012) Morimoto:

“The MoD has committed to purchasing the first 10 units in tranches of four, two and four, he said. After that, “if the price is still higher, the Ministry of Finance will be relatively reluctant to purchase the planes. We can’t change the basic plan for the first two or three tranches,” so the changes will come later, he said.

Doubtless Japan will pay whatever is required for local assembly in the end.

Interesting story in defence-aerospace.com (at the moment):

http://www.defense-aerospace.com/cgi-bin/client/modele.pl?session=dae.88520980.1371670617.UcIIWX8AAAEAAF0dZAIAAAAT&modele=home#

[ATTACH=CONFIG]217779[/ATTACH]

A spectacular photo of the Airbus A400M launching flares during a recent test. The aircraft is eagerly awaited by the French air force, which gets its first one in September. (Airbus photo)

Mmmm… not sure how eagerly the French air force is awaiting this A400M!!

Alenia unveils new trainer

http://www.defensenews.com/article/20130618/SHOWSCOUT02/306180025/Alenia-Unveils-New-Trainer-Aircraft

“Italy’s Alenia Aermacchi presented a new basic-advanced jet trainer on Tuesday — the M-345 HET — that it claims will cost less than a turbo prop to buy and cost the same to run.”

…

Giordo said development would cost less than US $100 million and take two years. “There is a limited amount of money and we must respect the schedule,” he said.

Apart from being designed to replaced the MB-339, the M-345 HET will be pitched at air forces replacing first generation Hawks, the Alpha Jet and the L-39 Albatros, a spokesman said.

“Air forces are tending to replace these aircraft with turboprops, but we believe the M-345 will be cheaper and offer the same operating costs,” he said.

Giordo said he predicted a global market of 200 aircraft.

The spokesman also claimed the new, low cost jet could find favor with the French Air Force as it seeks to create a two-tier training system.

“This is perfect for France’s possible need for a trainer, which they they have said could be a turbo prop, in a two-tier system,” he said.