F-16.net

what is the level of the middle eastern involvement in the JSF. Israel and turkey are in .. what about other U.S allied arab countries?
how many will be sold any ways

F-16.net Sponsor

F-16.net Editor Joined: Sep 23, 2003 Posts: 2862

That is a great question. I don't know. You would think, LM would want to up the numbers on JSF production to help lower production cost. Maybe just not at this time yet. Just a theory and I could be way dead wrong, if the IDF gets F-35, I would think there would be an Egyptian JSF some day. Just think of all those large number of EAF F-16s that will have to some day be replaced on the LM gravy train.

interesting. israel is getting 100 jsfs, and turkey is gettingthe same number of jsf.. i was thinking the egyptians would want to. but i was think ing the UAE or Jordan would try to get something. since UAE uses the high tech F-16 E and are looking for new things. and since the jordaninans are buying F-16s left and right

Enthusiast Joined: May 08, 2005 Posts: 69 Status: Offline

I wouldn't be surprised if the UAE would get the F-35 in a few years, but Jordan? Never say no, but I don't expect Jordan to acquire the F-35 in the next 10 or 15 years. And that's positive thinking according to me.

your right. the UAE has that kind of defense budget. they were able to fund the whole F-16 E/F project. the block 60/ but you could be surprised.. the jordanians jumped from 12 F-16s to almost 60 in less than 10 years. im gussing they can get a JSF within the next 10 years. their relatin with the U.S has very great for a long time now. Here is something to concider. when will Israel start getting its JSFs?

Newbie Joined: Sep 30, 2007 Posts: 5 Status: Offline

Hi everyone,
i guess Egypt might get the F-35 in like 7 or 10 years. I`ve read that the airforce was after F-15s but the U.S. disapproved , then was some articles about a possible Russian Mig-29SMT deal. Earlier were even talks about 60-100 F-16s like the recent Israeli purchase. Considering the Egyptian procurement
history, the air force might go for a Mig-29 or a F-16 deal before getting the F-35.

well, that wouldnt make alot of sence. because the egyptians already use 220 F-16s (mostly F-16 C/D) and they are the forth largest oporator. why would they do that. and every body saw what a bad fighter the MIG-29 was in the gulf war. So i highly doubt any one wants to buy those, and its a step back, evey body is interested in 5th generation fighters now.

Enthusiast Joined: Sep 30, 2007 Posts: 80 Status: Offline

general_samkari wrote:

well, that wouldnt make alot of sence. because the egyptians already use 220 F-16s (mostly F-16 C/D) and they are the forth largest oporator. why would they do that. and every body saw what a bad fighter the MIG-29 was in the gulf war. So i highly doubt any one wants to buy those, and its a step back, evey body is interested in 5th generation fighters now.

A MiG 35 would give a block 50 a run for its money dont you worry about it. Anyway the both the gulf wars were hardly representitive of any fighters capability with reguards to its opponants. All of those air campaigns were compleatly asymetrical in practically every sence of the word. UN and Coalition forces held massive advantages in ISR capability, battlespace situational awareness, strength, training, operational doctorine, in ever sence apart from the capabilities of the platforms envolved the iraqies had less than no chance. So i dont see how it truthfully illistrated the difference in capabilities the teens and the '29.

IIRC the germans got a nasty suprise when they got a couple of intact squadrons of MiG 29's after the wall came down. The 29 turned out to be a damn good WVR fighter, and what a shock the R73 and HMS was. That system was a full generation ahead of the AIM 9M. R27 long burn was also the first missile system (capable of being a real threat to a fast mover) that pushed maximum range out to the 70NM range mark. The russians and the '29 family are no joke and have been some serious first achievements.

Newbie Joined: Sep 30, 2007 Posts: 5 Status: Offline

"The russians and the '29 family are no joke and have been some serious first achievements"
Plus Egypt was considering the SMT model, thats way more advanced than the Mig-29c in the gulf war.
so its not a step back at all specially when comapred to F-15s. As for 220 F-16s in inventory why not check Israel, its already getting 102 Sufas more. I even read India was considering F-16s or Mig-29SMTs to add to the SU-30MKIs.
Also thinking about the Delivery time frame of any F-35s to Egypt ,the fact that we got the last F-16 in 2004, its more suitable to add more block 50/60 F-16s than waiting years before getting F-35s, " Turkey is doing just the same". Smile

actualy turky just said that they are getting 100 JSF since they are a member of the project. but the discussion is about JSF in the middle east, I want o discuss which countries have the capabilities and relation o get the JSF.. because once you have a 5th generation fighter out. thats what people will want to get, and the block 60 and others will start becoming of less importance in the power scale

Newbie Joined: Sep 30, 2007 Posts: 5 Status: Offline

i couldn`t agree more , but what i meant is when? Turkey signed an agreement for another F-16 batch till the F-35s arrive. The power scale is for sure gonna tilt in favor of 5th gen. fighters , but until those are delivered it would be better to get some more fighters at least for military balance purposes. I`m pretty sure Egypt is getting the F-35 despite its not a part of the project but considering Egyptian-U.S. relations and regional balance its a must. The question is what version Smile

?

Enthusiast Joined: Sep 30, 2007 Posts: 80 Status: Offline

general_samkari wrote:

actualy turky just said that they are getting 100 JSF since they are a member of the project. but the discussion is about JSF in the middle east, I want o discuss which countries have the capabilities and relation o get the JSF.. because once you have a 5th generation fighter out. thats what people will want to get, and the block 60 and others will start becoming of less importance in the power scale

I agree with you for the most part. But F16 Block 60/70 will offer great value for money even after F35 hits the market. With the apropriate ISR platforms and networking F16's will stay not only combat viable but lethal well into this century. The fact is that in a highly networked battlespace the capabilities of the individual fighters radar or raw performance matter alot less than they used to. What is apt to have a much greater effect on the outcome of battle will be ISR (Intelegence Survailance & Reconasance, AEW&C basically) platforms, netowrking, electronic warfare and ECM (elecronic counter measures). Now taking this into account, buying bargain F16 Block 60's in 10 years (new builds hopefully) may be a more attractive option than splurging on an F35, considering all the other goodies you could go and buy with the money you saved. You might just end up with a more potent orbat with F16 rather than F35's. This may still be a very atractive option for nations with limited budgets in the mid east.

interesting point of view, and i agree for the most part, but here is a question can an advanced block 60/70 F-16 compete against a fifth generation fighter?

F-16.net

Forum: F-35 Lightning II

F-35 in the middle east.