Spending Reviews Stir Fighter Market

Aviation Week and Space Technology ^ | 10/27/2010 | Robert Wall

[ErnstStavroBlofeld]

The U.K.’s decision to drastically alter its fast-jet fleet plans introduces new uncertainties into the global fighter market.

In a two-pronged move, London is trimming its buy of Lockheed Martin F-35 Joint Strike Fighters and changing course on the model.

Financial pressures are also triggering angst beyond the U.K. Lt. Col. Rickard Nystrom, head of aircraft programs at the Swedish armed forces headquarters, says it is “a pretty stressful environment [here] right now.” With various big-ticket spending items looming in the next decade, there is renewed debate over plans for a 100-aircraft Gripen fleet.

The timing and scope of the Gripen E/F program—the next iteration of Saab’s single-engine fighter—also are expected to be under scrutiny. For now, though, “we think we need 100 aircraft,” Nystrom tells a Defense IQ fighter conference here, but he concedes the issue will remain unsettled for some time.

The Eurofighter Typhoon is similarly affected by the difficult funding environment. U.K. government officials say the just-released Strategic Defense and Security Review reaffirms that the Tranche 3A production contract now on order is the last batch to be acquired for the Royal Air Force. Germany also has indicated that Tranche 3B production will fall victim to a sweeping spending review due for completion at year-end. However, industry is still pushing to secure the next and final production batch from its core customers in the next two years.