Perhaps we should repoen the production line!

Always thought the Thales sonars were made UK! My bad.

STORL. So, you are asking us to imagine an F35B that can do the things that an F35B can do? Isn't that simply an F35B? Yes, but without the VTOL requirement, thus reducing how powerful the liftfan had to be, maybe not having it at all, thus saving weight, increasing range. If there wasn't a need fo...

At the end of the day the Wildcat comes from a UK specification for an Anti-Surface warfare naval helicopter. Not sure there's anything out there to match it when it comes to countering swarms of fast attack craft which is what its designed for. It can also support ASW operations and anti-piracy work.

Leonardo being partly owned by Italian Govt, which is a model we should be following.

Is 15 billion the true figure to develop it, or just the amount that BAE can swindle out of the Government!

Poor decision.

What's the point of keeping the Ariete tanks?

Which gun barrel shop are you referring to? The one in Barrow that made M777?

Its the bullshitting I don't like, as the F-35 workshare is a percentage allocated to British companies which end up producing stuff in the US - Lift fan!

Not sure the Type 21 analogy is a good one.

Won't the Aussies be operating MH-60Rs from their Anzacs?

Complete bullshit

Not sure there is much benefit fitting a dipping sonar to Wildcat given its range and payload. It's main role is Anti-Surface for which it is probably the best naval helicopter on the market.

And over budget

Yes it is different as its the biggest defence project in history.

Just one big cash cow

and cloaking device

Or perhaps they are sitting on a Caribbean beach enjoying their windfall.

Probably...feels like Ajax all over again.

The Yanks were going in without us anyway!

Requirement as dictated by the Treasury though!

Ron5 wrote: ↑28 Jan 2023, 14:44 Shot down by Gordon Brown.

Officially cancelled in 2012, after Gordon Brown

Good news. Hopefully they can be in service by 2026!

ISD 2035 most probably following unforseen delay