I don't disagree, in retrospect it would have been a better choice. But I don't think it's possible to cancel the F-35 deal at this point, for both legal and practical reasons.
Legality is not an issue in such deals. I'm not talking about cancelling, since at long range F-35's are good planes, even though they suck at closer range. I say just buying less (24) and getting 48 Gripens for the rest. Gripens' much lower flight cost compensates two supply chains.
Well, this attitude would be like going to a negociation thinking it would be difficult to reclaim some Ukrainian land, isn't it ;-)?
USA will have choice. Either sell 24 F-35's, or sell none.
Relax on these. Excellent planes F35 are. Meteor adaptation would do good though. Finnish Defence Forces most likely will get sooner or later the other fighter along. Probably something like a weapon carriage-barge to mass F35 pointed targets. First 3-5%, finish coast navy project and ground forces
The Meteor will be modified for British F-35s I think. Anyway, Gripen has an American engine and many sensors and probably some other electronics. The French Mirage would have been a better choice if the goal would have been European autonomy.
No. It has been postponed forever (currently 2027, and every year a year more) mainly because USA doesn't want it on F-35A's, and it is not interesting for MBDA to make it for just F-35B. I guess you mean Rafale and not Mirage? Good 4G platform too.
My general point is that we all have a serious problem if the US goes totally rogue and stops supporting all the platforms we operate. Only the French have been clairvoyant in this respect.
Those are rumours, and I won't spread them. What interests me is having close air support by Gripens when I'll be in forest and trenches, that F-35's cannot provide, and be certain that we get ammo in case of war.
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USA will have choice. Either sell 24 F-35's, or sell none.
My general point is that we all have a serious problem if the US goes totally rogue and stops supporting all the platforms we operate. Only the French have been clairvoyant in this respect.