Re: F-35B Lightning (RAF & RN)
Posted: 27 Jul 2020, 22:07
Ok....I'll bite...
But if asking for a little honesty and clarity from our elected representatives and government departments, when they're spending large chunks of taxpayers money, whilst they use supplier crafted PR statements that seem to twist in the wind is whinging, then guilty as charged.
No-one is disputing that...Ron5 wrote:Firstly that UK companies has helped the F-35 program in the areas pictured in the top half and listed in the left corner.
What exactly does contracts for the UK mean? This is the heart of it. Is it 15% for UK headquartered companies, or 15% spent in the UK. One of those is ok, one of them is very good. And that's the point. The PR spin from LM doesn't seem to know the answer and swings from 'UK companies' to 'UK manufactured' through a whole slew of other options..Ron5 wrote:Secondly that $13.55 billion has been generated in contracts for the UK and that 15% by value of each F-35 is manufactured in the UK.
Thats true. But BAE Systems in the US pays its taxes in the US, IP is restricted to the US and pays its wages in the US so the actual benefit to the UK is very minor.Ron5 wrote:It could have added, but didn't, that UK owned companies in the USA have also added a great deal more, in my opinion lead by BAE supplying the EW software for the entire program.
I'm not sure why 2 missile systems that were started way before F-35 with the intention of arming Typhoon would have much relevance. Particularly as one can't even be used by F-35...for another 6 years. How on earth is that adding value at the moment? No export orders yet either for F-35 use. And Spear isn't operational yet, hasn't won any export orders and won't be on F-35 until 2026 either...again..struggling to see the value there. Maybe the CGI's have some combat value...Ron5 wrote:It could have added but didn't, that UK arms of the multinational MBDA, have added significant value to the UK F-35's through their development and supply of ASRAAM, Meteor & Spear.
I'm sure their shareholders, who are a multinational bunch, are very happy. But their shareholders couldn't care less where the money is made....whereas UK gov and LM seem to be very confused in their messaging what % is done where..Ron5 wrote:I do assure you that the British companies mentioned in the graphic: Bae & Rolls Royce in particular are very proud of their contributions, as are their share holders.
Play the man not the ball Ron...very classy.Ron5 wrote:But then again, you belong to one of the most miserable species on the planet earth, the whinging poms.
But if asking for a little honesty and clarity from our elected representatives and government departments, when they're spending large chunks of taxpayers money, whilst they use supplier crafted PR statements that seem to twist in the wind is whinging, then guilty as charged.
Ok, but to what degree? If its not 15% spent directly in the UK, rather than just with UK companies why is our government parroting that line? Does that not bother you?Defiance wrote:F-35 was my first stint in the business, it's very beneficial to the UK.