They do… Mitsubishi-built SH-60/UH-60s and AgustaWestland MCH-101/CH-101s.

11 per ship, to be precise.

Ok, let me be more precise: fixed-wing combat aircraft, the likes of which there are no indications that Japan plans to acquire.

No, I think that’s just standard conspiracy theory rubbish.

Probably, it’s just frustration talking for the most part. It’s just ridiculous that New Zealand’s capabilities in this area currently outstrip ours when the Kiwis don’t spend even a tenth of what we do on the military. In light of recent events, its only by virtue of the Australian public not knowing or caring about defence matters that the government hasn’t been roasted alive on this score. I do hope we’re able to pick up Largs Bay.

With the recent disasters both at home and throughout the region, heads should be rolling in Australia over the state of the nation’s amphibious capabilities, i.e. non-existent. I’ve heard rumours that the RAN deliberately allowed the readiness and serviceability of the existing fleet to degrade so as to increase pressure on the government to fund a third Canberra-class LHD. Recently there’s been talk of setting up a joint disaster response force with New Zealand, yet between the two nations the only vessel available for such duties at the moment is New Zealand’s HMNZS Canterbury. :rolleyes:

Indonesia already operates handfuls of Flankers and F-16s and would necessarily have some support infrastructure in place for those platforms. If they’re looking to beef up their capabilities, why not simply acquire more F-16s or Flankers and round up an operational squadron or two? Beyond that they’re investing in the KF-X program. I don’t see where Typhoon fits.

EDIT: Informally approached Britain? Sounds like they’re after the Tranche 1s.

My money is on an all-Euro shortlist. 😎

Aviation Week is reporting that the shortlist will be announced early next month.

Link

What’s the point if there’s no prospect of an aircraft at the end of it? Sure, it’s “good for British jobs” for BAe to land a contract to polish rivets or whatever on the F-35, but what’s the broader significance of that? It seems to me that the only reason for the nation to invest in maintaining such domestic industrial capacities is insofar as those capacities confer self-reliance in the design, construction and support of functional platforms for the military. Subsystem-level work is all well and good to bridge between major projects, but if there are no such projects forthcoming, i.e. if self-reliance is something that’s been thrown in the ‘too hard/expensive’ basket, then what’s the point? Obviously British industry can keep going as long as it stays in the black, and best of luck with that, but I’m not sure why anyone not associated with those companies should care what happens to them at this point.