It pretty clear that the aircorps need some sort of aircraft to defend Irish airspace. We cant go on indefintely asking the RAF.
Whether the government actually goes ahead and purchases aircraft is another matter for debate. However this tread is about what other EU countries are thinking of doing,what direction they are going and what should the Irish government be doing.
Ireland isnt the poor man any more and is more like countries like Belgium and the Netherlands in terms of wealth.
The Dutch Government says it is going to join in developing the hi-tech US-made Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) aircraft instead of the other two other rival projects - the Eurofighter Typhoon, by a European consortium, and the French Rafael.
Most European aircraft seem to more expensive than equilivant US aircraft and by time the Eurofighter comes into service, its not going to be cutting edge technology.
Although the JSF is not expected to be operational until the year 2010 shouldnt Ireland now get invovled in the Joint Strike Fighter to serve the future defence needs of Ireland? A 6 year time frame isnt a long time when you consider what the current level of experise and aer corps infastructure is.
JSF
$31-38m per aircraft
18,000lbs fuel capacity
15,000lbs missile capacity
1,100 km combat range
Whether the government actually goes ahead and purchases aircraft is another matter for debate. However this tread is about what other EU countries are thinking of doing,what direction they are going and what should the Irish government be doing.
Ireland isnt the poor man any more and is more like countries like Belgium and the Netherlands in terms of wealth.
The Dutch Government says it is going to join in developing the hi-tech US-made Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) aircraft instead of the other two other rival projects - the Eurofighter Typhoon, by a European consortium, and the French Rafael.
Most European aircraft seem to more expensive than equilivant US aircraft and by time the Eurofighter comes into service, its not going to be cutting edge technology.
Although the JSF is not expected to be operational until the year 2010 shouldnt Ireland now get invovled in the Joint Strike Fighter to serve the future defence needs of Ireland? A 6 year time frame isnt a long time when you consider what the current level of experise and aer corps infastructure is.
JSF
$31-38m per aircraft
18,000lbs fuel capacity
15,000lbs missile capacity
1,100 km combat range
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