European, Russian and US fighter manufacturers are focusing their near-term attention on pending requirements in Greece, Malaysia, India, Singapore and Switzerland, which are seen as among the last major purchases ahead of the Joint Strike Fighter entering the market at the end of the decade.
Malaysia has already inked an initial deal for 12 Sukhoi Su-30MK fighters and Boeing is still hopeful of announcing a deal for eight F/A-18F Super Hornets at the local Langkawi airshow in October. Strained US-Malaysian political relations and the planned visit next month of Malaysian prime minister Mahathir Mohammed to Sweden is giving Saab BAE Systems hope Kuala Lumpur will instead opt for the Gripen.
Saab/BAE is anticipating an initial request for proposals next year from India for up to 120 new fighters to replace elderly Mikoyan MiG-21s. The company has entered into co-production talks with Hindustan Aeronautics, but will have to secure export permission from the Swedish and US government for the licence-built General Electric/Volvo F404-400/RM-12 engine.
Switzerland is expected to formally kick-off its NFA requirement in 2005 for 33 fighters to replace Northrop F-5E/Fs. Boeing is hoping to build on its earlier success with the F/A-18C/D Super Hornet. Other contenders include the Eurofighter Typhoon, with the offer of training and infrastructure support from neighbouring Germany.
A similar deal is in place with Austria, which is in the process of receiving parliamentary approval for funding for its planned purchase of 18 tranche 2 aircraft, plus six options. The aircraft will be built to the same configuration as Germany's Typhoons. Eurofighter is also hoping to conclude a stalled deal with Greece in 2005 for 60 Tranche 2 Typhoons, plus 30 options.
The UK is offering Singapore a local base for a training squadron if it chooses the fighter early next year over the Boeing F-15T and F/A-18E/F, Dassault Rafale, Lockheed Martin F-16 Block 60 with enhancements and Su-30. The F-16 has an order backlog of 340 for delivery until 2009.
Source: Flight International
