Quote:
Originally Posted by peter12
I'm all about a mixed fleet now for the RCAP. 70/30 split between Gripens and F-35s.
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I get it, but for a country with a small airforce and limited budget, it creates a lot of problems to have role specific aircraft.
You have to look at distinctive
Parts, maintenance training, flight training, upgrades, interoperability difficulties.
It works for the larger airforces that need role specific aircraft.
but in an airforce with between 65 and 85 aircraft you're buying huge problems.
As well the cost difference vs benefits between the F-35 and the Griphen F doesn't make as much sense.
The the Saab expected to come in at a cost of $60 million per plane vs the F-35 which has reduced in price as manufacturing has increased to about an expected 80 to 85 per plane. The performance vs cost doesn't make as much sense as it used to
The sensor systems alone as well as the EW portion of the F-35 is far ahead. The Griphen is a gen 4 to 4.5 versus a 5th generation F-35. The interoperability of the F-35 and data share is better. In terms of carrying power, the F-35 can carry more.
Also you look at the future generation expandibility of the platform if you're going to fly it for 30 to 50 years, and the F-35 has a much better road map.
When it was a difference of double the price the Griphen F would make sense, but its not that difference anymore.
If you want to have a small airforce with a single airframe you need as many advantages to the plane as possible and a high as possible survival vs kill ration as possible.