First Belgian NH90-NFH rolled out

(photo: flugzeugforum.de)

i have a question.
i know it might be a bit early but is there an operational Su-** production designation for the T-50 yet?

(like how the T-10 became the Su-27, and the S-37 became the Su-47,…)

looks familiar,….again?

or better:

an AEW asset for Canada would indeed be a good idea, concidering the size of the country, but thats another topic.

looking at the number platforms competing, i think the F/A-18E/F, Typhoon and Rafale have the best chances.
but concidering the size of Canada and the range requirement (something the CF-18A always fell short), why not just go for the F-15SE, sure its a bit bigger and based on an older design, but it still has potential.

as for the Gripen, i really dont see it being a succes with the canucks, its a bit small, it doesnt have the range or payload. and i think the RCAF prefers a twin-engine.

but pernonally, i think this going the same way as the Dutch gripen plan, and they are going to end up with the F-35 anyway.

Belgium will be joing the operation.
it was announced this morning that we will be sending 2 C-130H’s and 2 Agusta A-109’s in Medevac configuration.

http://www.expatica.com/be/news/belgian-news/belgium-to-offer-france-logistical-backup-in-mali_255479.html

the article says 1 helo, but MoD, Pieter De Crem, said in an interview there will be 2 (1 operational, 1 as backup)

first 2 Belgian NH90-TTH’s to be handed over.

the first 2 aircraft (TTH versions, serials RN05 and RN06) are to be handed over to the Belgian Air Force on December 21, at Eurocopters facilities in Marseille-Marignane.

http://www.belgianaviationnews.be/2012/12/the-first-nh90-tth-helicopter-to-be.html

for a small country with no foreign intrests or colonies, i think the Gripen will suffice for its defence needs, on the other hand if they want something with a more strategic vallue, i would recommend the Typhoon or Super Hornet.

Belgium is said to start looking at an F-16 replacement in the next gouverment legislature, after elections in 2014. so maybe, in an effort to reduce costs, i could look at a joint purchase, like what Sweden and Switserland are doing with the Gripen-E/F.

althought i believe the F-35A will still be a good contender, as its a generation ahead of anything else offered, its still concidered overpriced, underpowed and undercapable. as most European built 4.5gen aircraft have more superiour performance (even though without stealth) compared to the F-35.

if you look at terms of cost, you can buy 2 or 3 gripen’s for the price of 1 F-35, not to mention that gripens operational costs per flyinghour are only 20% of that of the F-35. the only advantage F-35 has over the competition is Stealth, witch is pretty much non-existant when flying with external loads.