News stories
| UK bid to offload Eurofighter jets it cannot afford |
 Date : 23rd August 2008 Source : Unspecified Author : Eduardo AAVM |
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/6ffbe39a-6e50 ... fd18c.html
By Stephen Fidler, Sylvia Pfeifer and Alex Barker in,London
Published: August 20 2008 03:00 | Last updated: August 20 2008 03:00
UK bid to offload Eurofighter jets it cannot afford wrote:The UK has held talks with other countries, including Japan, about offloading large numbers of Eurofighter Typhoons that the Ministry of Defence has ordered but can no longer afford.
The discussions, which are at an early stage, underline the size of the cash crisis facing the ministry, which has been grappling with an estimated budget deficit of £2bn ($3.7bn).
The Royal Air Force, which had ordered 144Eurofighters, is committed to buying another 88 of the aircraft as part of its membership of the four-nation Eurofighter consortium, which includes Germany, Italy and Spain.
The UK would face severe financial penalties if it decided to cancel or cut this number and has started to sound out potential buyers for all or part of its order.
Defence officials have confirmed that Japan, Saudi Arabia and India are among countries that have expressed interest in buying the aircraft.
Japan's interest will surprise many in the industry as the country has historically tended to buy from US manufacturers. India, which has traditionally bought Russian fighters, has made no secret of its ambition to expand its indigenous defence capabilities and is evaluating bids from five parties, including Eurofighter, for a multi-role combat aircraft.
India's tender would potentially be a lucrative order for the Eurofighter consortium.
For the UK to divert aircraft intended for the RAF to India would need approval from consortium partners. The transfer of sensitive military technology is likely to be a potential hurdle.
The Saudi Royal Air Force has 72 Typhoons on order from the UK government under an agreement signed last September, to be built by BAE Systems, the UK's largest arms contractor.
Separately, Riyadh had begun negotiations with the UK to buy 48-72 additional Typhoons, a source close to the Saudi government confirmed.
Any agreement on offloading the RAF Eurofighters is unlikely to be reached before next year.
The ministry said: "We would not comment on government-to-government discussions, even to confirm that such discussions are taking place."
The four nations in the Eurofighter consortium are negotiating over whether each must buy the same number of aircraft from the group as originally agreed.
Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2008
|
| Discuss this story [ 2 replies ] |
|
Top of Page |
| News Update August 2007 to August 2008 |
| Date : 21st August 2008 Source : Unspecified Author : Scorpion |
A lot has happened in the Eurofighter programme since the forum went down. Ths thread should summerize the happenings in the mentioned timeframe. Feel free to complement.
Tranche 3 negotiations:
A formal proposal was delivered by the Eurofighter GmbH in december 2007. Negotiations are underway and it is planned to sign a contract by late 2008 or early 2009. The UK and Italy has requested options for a 100% or 50% reduction of their T3 buy. Germany and Spain are still commited to their full tranche 3 buy. Germany has issued an option for a splitted T3 order to the partner nations.
Tranche 2 development and status:
More than 40 T2 aircraft are in final assembly with the first T2 SPA taking off to its maiden flight on 6 August 2008 from Warton. The aircraft is the single seater BS039. BS040 has flown as well on 11 August 2008. Tranche 2 testing started on September 13 2007 with IPA2 being used to test the new T2 EJ200 Turbofans. The tests were completed by November 2007. BS031 took of to its maiden flight on 1 November 2007. Being a Tranche 1 single seater the aircraft now designated IPA6 features the full T2 avionics suite and is used for T2 development testing. The first true T2 aircraft was the german single seater GS029 (IPA7) which is also used to support the type acceptance for the initial tranche 2/block 8 standard. The aircraft was first flown on 16 January 2008. Type acceptance should have been received by now, but details are unknown. Following the Phance 1 Enhancements agreed on 30 March 2007 the partner nations have agree on incremental updates rather than additional block upgrades and the designations block 10 and 15 for later T2 aircraft has been rejected. Deliveries of T2 aircraft will start in 2008 and should run until 2013.
Customers:
RAF:
After achieving operational capability to conduct QRA duties over South England on 29 June 2007 the RAF has worked towards achiving FOC in the AA and AG role. The so called austere package for integrating the Litening III LDP and Enhanced Paveway II dual-mode bombs has been completed on plan. A first guided bomb drop with self designation was conducted in november 2007 by ISPA1 following a guided LGB drop by an RAF Typhoon FGR.4 with buddy lasing from ISPA1. FOC in the AA role and full QRA responsibility was achived on 1 April 2008. Following a deployment to the US taking part in exercises such as Green Flag etc. the RAF declared No.11F squadron as fully operational in the AG role on 1 July 2008.
Current units are No.17(R) OEU, No.29(R) OCU and No.3(F) and 11(F) squadrons all based at Coningsby.
Luftwaffe:
The Luftwaffe started QRA duties on a shared basis on 8 January 2008 and is soley responsible for QRA over South Germany since 3 June 2008, following the disbandment of the last F-4F of the JG 74. Current units are the Jagdgeschwader 73 "Steinhoff" at Laage airbase (OCU) and the Jagdgeschwader 74 at Neuburg as the first operational unit.
Aeronatica Militare Italiana:
The AMI used the Typhoon operationally as part of its national air defence system since 16 December 2005 and achieved IOC with full QRA readiness on 1 January 2007. FOC is expected in late 2008. Following the 9th and 20th Gruppos of the 4° Stormo at Grossetto, the 12th Gruppo of 36° Stormo at Gioa Del Colle received its first aircraft on 1 October 2007.
Ejercito Del Aire:
The EdA achieved QRA readiness on 17 July 2008. The 113 (OCU) and 111 Escuadrons of the Ala 11 at Moron are the currently only units in EdA service.
Austria:
Austria has reduced its original order of 18 T2 aircraft to 15 T1 aircraft which are diverted from the partner nations. Following the delivery of AS001 on 12 July 2007 the Austrian Luftraumüberwachungsgeschwader at Zeltweg achieved its air policing readiness on 1 July 2008.
Saudi Arabia:
Saudi Arabia signed a contract for 72 (14 twin seaters) Eurofighter Typhoons on 17 September 2007. Deliveries are divided into 3 batches of 24 aircraft. The first batch is diverted from RAF T2 production slots and deliveries will start in 2009. A common training centre for RAF & RSAF personal will be established at RAF Coningsby. Saudi Arabia will built a final assembly line and start production around 2011/2012. Saudi Arabia has insisted to buy another 72 Typhoons.
Potential customers:
Swiss, Greece, Romania, Bulgaria, India, Japan, Oman, Brazil and Chile are potential customers with negotiations under way. In december 2007 the Eurofighter GmbH has left the competitions in Norway and Denmark.
|
| Discuss this story [ 0 replies ] |
|
Top of Page |
| First British Tranche 2 Jets Complete Production Testing |
| Date : 21st August 2008 Source : Unspecified Author : P120A |
Despite the best endeavours of the British weather, the first UK Tranche 2 Typhoon Production Aircraft took its maiden flight from Warton on the 6th August 2008. The aircraft, designated BS039, was flown by our new Chief Test Pilot, Paul Stone. It was closely followed by BS040, flown by Mark Bowman, Typhoon Project Test Pilot. Both aircraft have quickly completed their Production Flight Acceptance Test (PFAT) schedule and are "off test".
BAESYSTEMS plc
|
| Discuss this story [ 0 replies ] |
|
Top of Page |
| BAE talks to Mitsubishi for licence production for Japan |
| Date : 31st May 2007 Source : Unspecified Author : Rob L |
I thought this deserved a new thread. I'm convinced that the strategy of BAE Systems to market the Eurofighter as a "Japofighter" is very good. This is the way they'll get a lot more acceptance from Japan for a Eurofighter deal. I wonder if they are also considering integration of a Japanese radar? Don't they have an AESA in the F2? And what weapons would be integrated? Will Eurojet or Rolls-Royce try to sign a similar agreement for the EJ200? What about technology transfer?
BAE says in talks with M'bishi Heavy on Typhoon deal
Thu May 31, 2007 12:10 PM BST15
Email This Article | Print This Article | RSS
[-] Text [+]
TOKYO, May 31 (Reuters) - BAE Systems Plc (BA.L: Quote, Profile , Research) is in talks with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd. (MHI) (7011.T: Quote, NEWS , Research) about possibly licensing it to manufacture the Eurofighter Typhoon, an executive of Europe's top military contractor said on Thursday.
"At the moment our main discussion is with MHI, and they have demonstrably the most significant fighter aircraft capability of the Japanese industry team," Nigel Whitehead, group managing director at BAE, told Reuters in an interview.
"But the relationship will not necessarily be limited to MHI."
Mitsubishi Heavy already makes F-15J fighters under a license agreement with Boeing Co. (BA.N: Quote, Profile , Research), Patriot missiles with Raytheon Co. (RTN.N: Quote, Profile , Research) and vertical launching systems with Lockheed Martin Corp. (LMT.N: Quote, Profile , Research), but it has no big projects with BAE.
Japan has been a tough market for non-U.S. contractors such as BAE because U.S. rivals such as Boeing Co. (BA.N: Quote, Profile , Research) and Lockheed Martin Corp. (LMT.N: Quote, Profile , Research) have a strong grip on the market.
But Japan has said it would consider buying the Eurofighter Typhoon, which is built by a consortium headed by BAE, as it plans to start replacing its fleet of 60 F-4 fighters as well as training aircraft in the next couple of years.
Any BAE deal with MHI would be contingent on the government choosing the Eurofighter.
Link: http://investing.reuters.co.uk/news/articleinvesting.aspx?type=allBreakingNews&storyID=2007-05-31T111016Z_01_TKB002734_RTRIDST_0_BAESYSTEMS-INTERVIEW.XML
|
| Discuss this story [ 10 replies ] |
|
Top of Page |
| Norway and Eurofighter sign new cooperation deal |
| Date : 15th May 2007 Source : Unspecified Author : Rob L |
Eurofighter signs new Cooperation Agreement with Norway
15/05/2007
Oslo/Hallbergmoos - The Eurofighter partnership consolidates the close ties to Norway by signature of a further agreement on technological cooperation between the Eurofighter consortium of Alenia Aeronautica (Italy), BAE Systems (United Kingdom), EADS CASA (Spain), EADS Germany and Norway. Eurofighter CEO Aloysius Rauen signed the Letter of Agreement with the Norwegian Ministry of Defence (NMOD) in the presence of the German Ambassador to Norway Roland Mauch, who represented the four Eurofighter Nations, and the Norwegian Defence Minister, Anne-Grete Strøm-Erichsen.
This Letter of Agreement with the NMOD sets out the principles to be applied to industrial contracts and includes the funding commitment from the NMOD to cover the development contracts between Norwegian and Eurofighter Partner Companies.
Aloysius Rauen commented at the signing ceremony, "This new Agreement is a further important element in meeting the demands of Norway's competition for a new combat aircraft. It will allow the Eurofighter Partnership to continue to develop and demonstrate its ability to deliver high technology in partnership with Norwegian industry. This new agreement will also provide vital continuity to Norwegian industry in preparation for the potential NOK 40 Billion which would accrue as part of the industrial package associated with a Norwegian choice of Eurofighter as it's F-16 replacement. This industrial work would form a substantial part of the Eurofighter package for Norway, combining Eurofighter Typhoon's unmatched operational capability with a comprehensive training and through life support package to provide an unbeatable solution to meet Norway's long-term strategic military and industrial requirements.
|
| Discuss this story [ 0 replies ] |
|
Top of Page |
| Saudi minister sees British military jet deal soon: 48 EF |
| Date : 21st December 2005 Source : Unspecified Author : Eduardo AAVM |
http://www.arabtimesonline.com/arabtime ... sgID=10799
Saudi minister sees British military jet deal soon
RIYADH (Reuters) - Saudi Arabia expects to conclude a deal with Britain for military aircraft soon, the kingdom's defence minister said in remarks published on Wednesday.
Prince Sultan bin Abdul-Aziz, in comments reported by the state-run Saudi Press Agency, would not disclose details.
But he told reporters after talks with visiting British Defence Minister John Reid: "God willing, we hope to conclude in the near future a deal for modern planes with Britain."
A senior source close to the deal told Reuters an accord might be signed later in the day after Reid meets Saudi King Abdullah.
Sources close to the negotiations had said the deal was likely to involve Saudi Arabia buying at least 48 Eurofighter Typhoon jets, with an option to raise that to 72.
The Eurofighter consortium includes BAE Systems, Airbus parent EADS and Italy's Finmeccanica.
Officials at BAE in Riyadh declined immediate comment.
Saudi sources said the kingdom was also considering buying Rafale jets from France's Dassault Aviation.
Back
|
| Discuss this story [ 416 replies ] |
|
Top of Page |
| All Partners now operate Batch 2 Aircraft |
| Date : 28th April 2005 Source : Unspecified Author : jwcook |
HALLBERGMOOS, Germany, April 28 /PRNewswire/ -- With deployment of IS002 from
Alenia's facilities in Torino to 4th Stormo "Amadeo d'Aosta" at Grosseto,
Italy, all for partner air forces in Germany, Italy, Spain and the United
Kingdom now operate series production single seaters with Batch 2 standard.
These aircraft have PSP2 Capability (Production System Package) with Initial
Defensive Aids Subsystem (DASS), Multifunctional Information and Distribution
System (MIDS), Initial Direct Voice Input (DVI) and Sensor Fusion.
Six Batch 2 aircraft have been accepted by the customer air forces so far,
totaling the number of now delivered series production aircraft at 41
(including 5 Instrumented Production Aircraft IPA).
Most recently the operation of Eurofighter at extremely low temperatures has
been successfully evaluated and proven in Sweden. At Decimomannu, Italy, DA 3,
the gun firing clearance aircraft, is completing the final demonstration of the
Full Operational Clearance for the operation of this part of the Weapon System.
Flight test of the new Phase 4 Standard Flight Control System Software
dedicated for Block 2b has begun. Industry and government test pilots comments
are enthusiastic: "The Phase 4 software left a very good impression overall. It
was like flying a different, much more spirited and agile aircraft." Pilots
also praise the new software for air-to-air refueling, reducing workload
considerably.
Production of Tranche 1 standard aircraft is fully underway with the 100th
center fuselage and right wing section already delivered. Production for
Tranche 2 aircraft has already begun last year with first frames for the centre
fuselage produced.
Aloysius Rauen, CEO Eurofighter GmbH, commented: "Eurofighter Typhoon is the
biggest and most successful military aerospace programme in Europe. With 638
aircraft under contract to five nations Eurofighter GmbH holds the largest
order book of any next generation fighter aircraft worldwide, making
Eurofighter Typhoon the undisputed Number One in the global fighter business.
Eurofighter Typhoon has unquestioned capabilities acknowledged by the customers
and international aerospace experts. Its operational potential reaches far into
the first decade of this century, offering huge technological and industrial
advantages to new potential customers based on a large order book, reducing
customer risk. The Eurofighter Typhoon programme is characterised as a fully
open partnership with unrivalled technological and industrial return to
customers who wish to join the project."
|
| Discuss this story [ 0 replies ] |
|
Top of Page |
|
Technology 
Production 
Flight Program 
