Team Infidel
Forum Spin Doctor
Fort Worth Star-Telegram
May 30, 2008
Pg. C3
By Bob Cox, Star-Telegram staff writer
An F-35 on display this month at Andrews Air Force Base. Uncertainties over its cost have made it easier for critics to gain traction.
One country expected to be a sure customer for Lockheed Martin's F-35 Lightning II joint strike fighter has hedged its commitment slightly, but another is signaling that it wants to buy planes as soon as possible.
In the Netherlands, one of the eight countries that have contributed funds to the F-35's development, government officials hammered out a compromise Wednesday that leaves open the option of buying another aircraft.
Minority members of the Dutch parliament, who have criticized the government's long-range plan to buy F-35s, won a concession from the Defense Ministry. Parliament agreed to partial funding to allow the purchase of two F-35 test aircraft, but the deal requires the government to evaluate other aircraft as possible replacements for the country's aging F-16s.
On the other hand, the Israeli government has asked the U.S. government for permission to buy an initial batch of 25 F-35s.
The Israeli press reported the F-35 query last week, but neither government had confirmed it. Lockheed Chief Executive Robert Stevens confirmed the Israeli request during a meeting Thursday with a Wall Street investment firm.
Lockheed spokesman John Smith said discussions of an F-35 sale to Israel are a matter for the two governments to work out.
"We are pleased that the Government of Israel has submitted a Letter of Request ... for 25 F-35 Lightning II aircraft," Smith said in a statement. "Lockheed Martin stands ready to support the U.S. government and Israel throughout the acquisition process."
Israel is the first government to openly signal its intent to make a firm order for the F-35, in part because the sale would be funded by U.S. military aid to the Jewish state. A sale to Israel, if approved, probably would result in an actual order being placed around 2010-2011, with deliveries of the first aircraft in 2013.
In Europe, competitors have been pressuring countries expected to buy the F-35 to spend their money on the continent instead. The Swedish aerospace firm Saab has persuaded Denmark and Norway to give its Gripen fighter a second look.
Dutch opponents of the F-35 want to see the Gripen, the British-German Eurofighter consortium and the French-built Rafale also considered, as well as possibly Boeing's F-18 Super Hornet. The uncertain cost of the F-35 has given critics room to press their case.
Meanwhile, Lockheed is moving closer to securing another F-16 order.
The Pentagon notified Congress last week that it is preparing to allow Romania to buy 24 new F-16s from Lockheed and 24 used, upgraded aircraft that would come from the Air Force's inventory. The sale of the planes, engines and weapons could be worth $4.5 billion.
May 30, 2008
Pg. C3
By Bob Cox, Star-Telegram staff writer
An F-35 on display this month at Andrews Air Force Base. Uncertainties over its cost have made it easier for critics to gain traction.
One country expected to be a sure customer for Lockheed Martin's F-35 Lightning II joint strike fighter has hedged its commitment slightly, but another is signaling that it wants to buy planes as soon as possible.
In the Netherlands, one of the eight countries that have contributed funds to the F-35's development, government officials hammered out a compromise Wednesday that leaves open the option of buying another aircraft.
Minority members of the Dutch parliament, who have criticized the government's long-range plan to buy F-35s, won a concession from the Defense Ministry. Parliament agreed to partial funding to allow the purchase of two F-35 test aircraft, but the deal requires the government to evaluate other aircraft as possible replacements for the country's aging F-16s.
On the other hand, the Israeli government has asked the U.S. government for permission to buy an initial batch of 25 F-35s.
The Israeli press reported the F-35 query last week, but neither government had confirmed it. Lockheed Chief Executive Robert Stevens confirmed the Israeli request during a meeting Thursday with a Wall Street investment firm.
Lockheed spokesman John Smith said discussions of an F-35 sale to Israel are a matter for the two governments to work out.
"We are pleased that the Government of Israel has submitted a Letter of Request ... for 25 F-35 Lightning II aircraft," Smith said in a statement. "Lockheed Martin stands ready to support the U.S. government and Israel throughout the acquisition process."
Israel is the first government to openly signal its intent to make a firm order for the F-35, in part because the sale would be funded by U.S. military aid to the Jewish state. A sale to Israel, if approved, probably would result in an actual order being placed around 2010-2011, with deliveries of the first aircraft in 2013.
In Europe, competitors have been pressuring countries expected to buy the F-35 to spend their money on the continent instead. The Swedish aerospace firm Saab has persuaded Denmark and Norway to give its Gripen fighter a second look.
Dutch opponents of the F-35 want to see the Gripen, the British-German Eurofighter consortium and the French-built Rafale also considered, as well as possibly Boeing's F-18 Super Hornet. The uncertain cost of the F-35 has given critics room to press their case.
Meanwhile, Lockheed is moving closer to securing another F-16 order.
The Pentagon notified Congress last week that it is preparing to allow Romania to buy 24 new F-16s from Lockheed and 24 used, upgraded aircraft that would come from the Air Force's inventory. The sale of the planes, engines and weapons could be worth $4.5 billion.