The following looks at various DSCA releases on potential FMS sales for the F-35.
Israeli aircraft are indirectly subsidised by the U.S. taxpayer, which, makes this legal money laundering.
All three countries listed below will get industry offsets with their deal.
Even after you calculate the FMS fees paid to Joint Strike Fighter nation countries for each FMS sale (based on partner level), you still have every expensive and unproven aircraft with little offered in the DSCA announcement.
Unlike many fairy-dust roll-away price quotes from the DOD F-35 JSF PO or Lockheed Martin, these aircraft at least come with jet engines.
F-35 FMS comparisons (PDF files):
Israel- 75 aircraft (if all options taken) for $15.2B - Acquisition price each: $202.6M
Japan- 42 aircraft (if all options taken) for $10B - Aquisition price each: $238M
S.Korea 60 aircraft for $10.8B - Acquistion price each $180M
DSCA may make a Singapore F-35 announcement in the coming days.
Best advice to the Joint Strike Fighter nations "best value club"? Make your F-35s FMS, after you have fully evaluated a working go-to-war jet.
For example: Canada. After a full evaluation of all contenders for their CF-18 replacement, and if the F-35 was picked as a winner (again, some years in the future when there is a working go-to-war F-35 to evaluate), they could sign up for an FMS F-35A deal. And, get better industry participation.
The same goes for Australia which it appears will end up with a mixed Super Hornet and F-35 fleet. Again, assuming the F-35 gets over major hurdles.
Another big problem for Canada and Australia? Trying to find the money to own and operate the aircraft. Difficult if the cost per flying hour of an F-35 is 3 to 4 times that of a legacy F-18.
