Or, as one esteemed observer of military aviation matters stated: "What’s the combination of symbols I need to use for a facepalm emoticon?"
Situation 2008: promises
In the MOU, signed by Dutch secretary of state Jack de Vries on the 30th of May 2008, we can find in paragraph 5.2.4:
“ The NL MOD share of the Financial Cost Ceiling is 30M TY U.S, dollars. The NL MOD Non-financial Cost contribution includes, but is not limited to, munitions, use of two (2) JSF Air Systems, and the services of trained personnel for IOT&E efforts.”
The planning was that the IOT&E would take place from mid-2012 until mid-2014, 2 years, separated in a Block 2 and a Block 3 part.
Situation 2013: deception
This week the Dutch parliament received a surprising letter, telling the members of parliament:
- The cost ceiling will be broken, cost of IOT&E participation will be about € 54 million (US$ 73 million)
- The IOT&E will take 4 years, not 2 years
- The IOT&E planning is now from 2015 until 2018, however it may be a little later
- The two Dutch F-35s can not be used until that moment (2015)
- We have to pay “parking costs” several millions a year
We could have bought the Dutch F-35As some years later, now we bought potential “hangar queens” from the much more expensive, early LRIP3 and LRIP4 series (having saved about US$ 100 million). We invested over US$ 250 million in these two planes, that will be parked for several years, useless investment by a country with a defence budget under high pressure.
5 comments:
It's just like what Darth Vader said to Lando Calrissian: "I am altering the deal. Pray I do not alter it any further."
More excellent coverage today by adults in Bussiness Spectator.
http://www.businessspectator.com.au/bs.nsf/Article/Australia-military-Joint-Strike-Fighter-program-pd20130215-4WRX6?opendocument&src=idp&utm_source=exact&utm_medium=email&utm_content=181395&utm_campaign=kgb&modapt=commentary
Sweden just signed the Gripen NG-deal with Saab.
http://fmv.se/en/News-and-media/In-focus/FMV-has-signed-an-agreement-for-continued-development-of-Gripen/
This should move the Gripen closer to be a contender and not just a "fantasy".
The reserved budget for buying F-35 has less then 4000 mil euros left. Maintenace budget around 150 mil euros.
Even if Holland closes 1 of the 2 F-16 bases and closes 2 of the 4 squadrons it still wont be enuff to buy a decent number of F-35's.
If you sell all 4 subs not replace 2 frigs and close down several army units then maybe Holland can.
What we seeing atm is the last try from the jsf lobby to push the program threw at the cost of the rest of the defense forces.
Politicly there is even a bigger problem cause there is no majority in parlement and 1 of the 2 parties that make up the goverment is against the F-35 project.
More realistic would be buy Gripen NG or new F-16 and try preserve what defense capabilities Holland has atm.
A decision is planned for later this year but i can not imagine Holland will go for the F-35.
And that is besides the question if the F-35 is gonne work as promised or not. That has to be answered too this year else Holland will be taken a huge risk.
And it looks like Nellis AFB is going to have the same problem with their 4 F-35A's arriving late Feb as the Dutch do with their 2 already delivered jets. What to do with them until some real capabilty is available. Nellis PA office says "Once on station, the F-35s will initially be used for operational test purposes". Say what? How many years before OT&E? Nellis pilots (graduates of the Eglin mini-training course) will be burning fuel on a lot of joy rides in the meantime. Well, flight time may be cut back if sequestration comes about, limiting the useless flying somewhat. Ah, my tax dollars at work.......
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