I read an article from navy outlook just before this, and the concern in the article, but even more in the comments, was that the UK DoD won't follow through on their current commitment to 8 type 26's, and will only actually sign contracts for 6. I guess the navy is saying they need 12 type 26 to patrol the atlantic, and the commentators believe that the current government will look at 6 UK and 5 Norwegian frigates, and get 11, say, "that's close enough!"
From what I've been hearing, that's a valid concern. The UK is in quite the hole (without getting into how they got there), and with Starmer's popularity in the pits, and defense spending is the Peter they are robbing to pay Paul at the moment. Also currently threatening GCAP with some uncertainty, so we all have additional reason to worry, since we are now the first observed signed on with GCAP. Italy and Japan are all on board, but if the UK drags its feet enough on funding, that could turn that into almost as much of a dumpster fires as FCAS.
Its a bit pie in the sky, but I think we should go rummaging around in the rubble of FCAS and build a new 6th gen fighter program based around Germany/Airbus and Swedan/Saab... I'm not sure what we would do about an engine, but I'm sure we could figure something out. Maybe it's time Pratt and Whitney Canada stretched themselves a bit 😜
Canada is negotiating for observer status now. If UK falters, it would appear that this Canadian government would be prepared to jump in IF there’s an opportunity to develop some IP. I’m all for it.
If the UK falters, maybe we could snipe rolls royce for an engine. From my reading, the engine is one of the major bottlenecks in developing a new air frame, ESPECIALLY if it's a fighter. Look at the Gripen E/F, Saab settled on a GE engine with ITAR restrictions, instead of developing a blank sheet design, not because their wasn't appetite for a domestic solution, but because it would add a decade or more to the development of the plane. You just need to look at India to see how hard it actually to develop a clean sheet design. India is also a good example of why you don't want to depend on someone else for got engine. They are years behind where they want to be on building Tejas because of American foot dragging... FCAS had Safran, GCAP has rolls royce. As much as I would love for Canada to become a source for fighter jet engines, that is a huge commitment, and no one has expressed interest in the project, as far as I know.
I read an article from navy outlook just before this, and the concern in the article, but even more in the comments, was that the UK DoD won't follow through on their current commitment to 8 type 26's, and will only actually sign contracts for 6. I guess the navy is saying they need 12 type 26 to patrol the atlantic, and the commentators believe that the current government will look at 6 UK and 5 Norwegian frigates, and get 11, say, "that's close enough!"
From what I've been hearing, that's a valid concern. The UK is in quite the hole (without getting into how they got there), and with Starmer's popularity in the pits, and defense spending is the Peter they are robbing to pay Paul at the moment. Also currently threatening GCAP with some uncertainty, so we all have additional reason to worry, since we are now the first observed signed on with GCAP. Italy and Japan are all on board, but if the UK drags its feet enough on funding, that could turn that into almost as much of a dumpster fires as FCAS.
Its a bit pie in the sky, but I think we should go rummaging around in the rubble of FCAS and build a new 6th gen fighter program based around Germany/Airbus and Swedan/Saab... I'm not sure what we would do about an engine, but I'm sure we could figure something out. Maybe it's time Pratt and Whitney Canada stretched themselves a bit 😜
Canada is negotiating for observer status now. If UK falters, it would appear that this Canadian government would be prepared to jump in IF there’s an opportunity to develop some IP. I’m all for it.
If the UK falters, maybe we could snipe rolls royce for an engine. From my reading, the engine is one of the major bottlenecks in developing a new air frame, ESPECIALLY if it's a fighter. Look at the Gripen E/F, Saab settled on a GE engine with ITAR restrictions, instead of developing a blank sheet design, not because their wasn't appetite for a domestic solution, but because it would add a decade or more to the development of the plane. You just need to look at India to see how hard it actually to develop a clean sheet design. India is also a good example of why you don't want to depend on someone else for got engine. They are years behind where they want to be on building Tejas because of American foot dragging... FCAS had Safran, GCAP has rolls royce. As much as I would love for Canada to become a source for fighter jet engines, that is a huge commitment, and no one has expressed interest in the project, as far as I know.
If we choose the 212cd then we may as well amalgamate Norway to the Dominion ;)