GroundReport | Singapore | DEFENCE: OIL CRISIS IS HIGH, ORDERING MILITARY EQUIPMENT JUST MOVE ON

DEFENCE: OIL CRISIS IS HIGH, ORDERING MILITARY EQUIPMENT JUST MOVE ON

Supermaster for AVIAZONE July 12, 2008

monday, 7/07

Singapore stated that they will purchase about 100 stealth multirole jet fighter in the next 3 years. The Jet Fighter is the F-35 Lightning II.

Below is the estimated price of each type:

F-35A          :            USD 68 million
F-35B          :            USD 85 ~ 88 million
F-35C         :            USD 90 ~ 92 million

Singapore might purchase the F-35 A which will use to replace their old F-5, F-16 and might AH-64 if they also purchase type B. But their defence department hasn't make up their mind which type they will purchase in the future. Meanwhile the new multirole fighter bomber jet F-15SG will be delivered about two to three months ahead this year make their military power is outstanding among the South East Asia Nation(ASEAN) members.

THE F-35 NEWS

The statement was announced by MayGen. Charles Davis which headed Pentagon Chief Development Program. He said to the press, that Israel has been interested to purchase the Jet. No clear how many unit that they might purchase in the future.

In the earlier development phase, many countries weren't aggree that Israel purchase this type of fighter due to conflict with few countries in the eastern interest ie: Palestinian, Suriah, Lebanon and latest is Iranian. Many were afraid that they will use it to attack its neighbour when the tension is high.

Already 8 countries aggreed funding this Joint Strike Fighter F-35 programmes and they commit to purchase 730 units in the future. UK, Italia, Dutch, Turkey, Canada, Australia, Norwegia and Denmark.

Meanwhile US defence department will pruchase 2,443 units which 1,763 units for air force, 680 for navy and marine.

In the blueprint, F-35 is planed to replace F-16 and F-18. For Lockheed Martin corp. The F-35 will face to face compete with other western and eastern product in the future.

Those fighters are: SAAB JAS-39 Grippen(upgraded- Swedia), Dassault Rafale(France), EF-2000 Typhoon(UK,German,Italia and Spain), MiG-35(Russia) and SU-35(Russia).

F-35 PRODUCTION

Lockheed Martin until now is just able to produced 12 units per year due to unprepared production line. They hoped that line production will be ready at years 2014 which will be able to produce 12 units per month. The lifetime value of the F-35 is until year 2040.