Paul Lewis/WASHINGTON DC
The Joint Strike Fighter programme office (JPO) has started talks with Brazil and Germany on possible participation in the engineering and manufacturing development (EMD) phase of the programme.
At least five other nations are awaiting an aircraft selection and for the US Government to complete an ongoing defence review before committing to the programme.
The JPO has started to focus attention on countries not participating in the soon-to-be completed concept demonstration phase (CDP), and talks with a number of partners are at or close to completion. The intent is to strengthen international support for JSF as the Department of Defense casts a critical eye over the programme.
"We've been invited to brief the Brazilian air force in July. The message we want to send to Brazil is that it will make a lot of sense if they want to upgrade their air force to do so with a US product," says Jon Schreiber, JSF international programme director. The JPO also plans to visit Embraer. "They probably have something to offer to us and we need to go and take a look," adds Schreiber.
Brazil has a longstanding requirement for a new F-X fighter to replace its ageing Dassault Mirage III and longer term its upgrade Northrop F-5BRs. It has been looking at an interim second-hand solution to replace the Mirages, while it considers new fighter options.
Germany is looking at options in the long-term to replace its Panavia Tornados. "The Germans were in about two months ago and expressed interest. At the end of the conversation they asked when they would be getting their invitation letter," says Schreiber. Invitation letters to join EMD have so far been sent to the nine countries that are CDP participants.
Italy has concluded negotiations to become a level two EMD player, which requires an investment of around $1.2 billion in exchange for a 5% stake. The deal is subject to political approval, which is awaiting the outcome of national elections. "We fully expect Italy as well as Canada, Denmark, the Netherlands, Norway and Turkey will be signed up before or after EMD starts," says Schreiber.
Source: Flight International
