After years of development, U.S. government and defense industry representatives have actively started the process of selling the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) overseas. Recent focus has fallen on India and Japan, two Asian powers that Washington sees as important to its future involvement in regional affairs.
The United States’ 4th generation (F/A-18 and F-16) offerings were rejected by India, with European manufacturers Dassault and Eurofighter the only finalists for a whopping $10 billion contract. Still, the Pentagon recently invited India to consider information on the Joint Strike Fighter for future purchases, labeling the craft the world’s premier fifth-generation platform and highly suited to the requirements of the original competition.
This clear shift emphasis on the part of the Obama administration and the Pentagon underscores the U.S. government’s vision of close Washington-New Delhi cooperation, and demonstrates a growing willingness to interface with India’s military endeavors on a new level. With that in mind, and considering that India’s expanding military modernization plans go far beyond the current competition, it seems very possible that the F-35 may find itself based on the subcontinent in the foreseeable future.
In Japan, meanwhile, officials announced that the F-X program, a competition to pick the country’s next combat air platform, has become a two horse race between Boeing’s F/A-18 Super Hornet and Lockheed Martin’s F-35. With its previous attempts to purchase the F-22A, along with Japanese officials’ stated preference for fifth generation technologies, it’s clear that the JSF is in a favorable position.
For those policymakers that support JSF production, and those manufacturers that have become dependent on its success, these potential new markets extremely welcome. Pressure is mounting in Congress to include the JSF in future Pentagon budget cuts, but new export ventures could help alleviate both the rising price-per-unit costs (now almost at $150 million) and much of the mounting pressure to scale back production of the new sophisticated carrier based F-35B variant.
In terms of tactical capabilities, the Joint Strike Fighter makes substantive sense for both nations. India and Japan are looking to create diverse forces that can provide advanced air superiority, interdictor and strike capabilities in the context of the relatively proximate threat posed by numerically massive Chinese ballistic and aerial units. Adding the F-35 would compliment the abilities of more numerous 4th generation aircraft and help build a strong balance of capabilities amongst powers in Asia.
This is particularly the case for India. From the Su-35 family of Russian aircraft to the advanced FGFA heavy fifth-generation stealth fighter, the capabilities garnered from New Delhi’s current range of procurements will enable the country to field a diverse force structure to meet future challenges. In India’s case especially, it’s worth noting that the FGFA, a future variant of the Indian-Russian PAK-FA fighter, is intended to serve in the same land-based air superiority platform role as the U.S. F-22A Raptor, with advanced thrust vectoring, stealth detection and air-to-air combat capabilities. This would complement the F-35’s primary role as a stealthy interdictor in modern aerial warfare mission profiles. Moreover, the naval variants of the JSF may well find themselves extremely attractive to the Indian navy in the future as an alternative to the current 4th generation HAL and MiG aircraft, with the F-35B and C models both capable of being launched from soon-to-be-introduced domestic- and Russian-built carriers.
Despite its many advantages, the biggest obstacle to the F-35 has been the snail-like development cycle and the rising costs associated with buying and operating such an aircraft. Selling the F-35 to India and Japan could remedy this and revitalize the JSF’s stagnant future. With the F-35 nearing full production, and with final testing underway on its naval variants, the United States has indicated its willingness to approve at least partial technology transfers, a move that makes JSF procurement more economically lucrative for all parties involved.
Ultimately, a future that sees the F-35 in Asia’s skies can only benefit the United States, both financially and strategically as the U.S. moves closer to key allies.
Christopher Whyte is a Washington DC area analyst and graduate student in Political Science in International Relations at George Mason University, Virginia.
Reddit
Digg
StumbleUpon
Delicious
Technorati
Yahoo
Google
Plurk
Expert
I don’t quite understand why the author is pushing F-35 for India, when they got a much better deal benefiting India’s defense industry; the co-development of PAK-FA which can hunt down and kill an F-35 anyday.
And no, India’s not ditching MRCA to purchase F-35, because both Rafale and Typhoon come with extensive tech transfer much sought by India, unlike heavily protected F-35.
The conclusion is that India’s not buying F-35 for its Air Force; the Indian Navy is another matter.
John Chan
@Expert,
Most likely you have never dealt with American before, that’s why you said such naive thing “India’s not buying F-35 for its Air Force; the Indian Navy is another matter.” Only USA decides what to offer, client state never has the right to cherry picking. It is a matter of principle of hegemony. It’s USA’s gracefulness to let India come under the protection of American greatness. India must have the right attitude to honour such privilege. Cherry picking a no no attitude to start with being an ally(or lackey) of the American.
Cam
@john chan.
You are funny man. The fact is China is hungry for the “Westpac”’s weapon systems but the “Westpact” says no given the Chinese records of stealing. Even, the Russian refuses to sell their advanced fighters to China because China cloned and sells to rogue third-world countries as their own (for example Su-27 jet and lots of more weaponry based on Russian know-how). Buying is much better compared to the stealing, right?, John chan?
John Chan
@Cam,
Are you sounding like sour grape? The Westpac cannot make a sale to China because their unappealing technology; instead of coming out better stuff, you are covering up their failure by smearing China who turned down their inferior products.
You sound like the big three car makers in the US 30 years ago, they bad mouthed what you have said about Japanese and Korean cars. See what has happened to those three arrogant and ignorant American car company? Bankrupted and miserable.
Cam, if you represent the Westpac’s weapon systems, their fate will be the same as the big three.
harry
yes the west and russians dont have arms embargos on China and that is why, Chinese military industry is so strong, China is not interested in russian or western crap anyway, things like J-20 is a lviing proof.
Yang zi
Vietnam better not become a threat to China, China is happy to see Vietnam go independent, but Vietnam is not satisfied, it want Chinese islands. Just like you give someone a house, he want your car too. The loser south Vietnamese are worst. They live in Canada or US, thinking they are different and better, but they are losers and nobody cares about what they think. US wouldn’t talk to Vietnam if it doesn’t want to use it to hedge against China.
Cam
@yang zi,
You talked like China owns the world and you can give out when you want. Nobody is surprised at the thuggy behaviors of China – robbing and screaming for help at the same time. The personal attacks just once again show you and your CCP comrades are losers in debating, then turned on using low class tactics you know the best, threatening and insulting. Keep babbling and see how we care.
No doubt, the cowboy China will be taught a lesson sooner or later if they keep thinking they are owner of the world.
Cam
@yang zi,
One more thing, what is wrong with the Vietnamese in Canada and US trying to fend off the thugging China? At least they have a good cause to fight. Unlike you and many of your Chinese bloggers here living in the US and use it as a base to work for CCP. What should I call you for this?
yang zi
@cam, i didn’t name you as a loser, but you volunteered in it. I don’t think you are a loser, I just say south Vietnamese are losers because they lost the war to N. Vietnamese.
To be honest, do you think US cares about Vietnam if it not for China? actually US doesn’t give a damn about AEAN either if not for China. I never accused you of VCP, yet you keep accusing me of CCP, this just shows how different we are, I can’t help it feel morally better if you keep this up.
yang zi
Also @Cam, you and I can be good friends if circumstances are different and you are not so sensitive and dogmatic. to fix your problem, please repeat after following facts:
1. China is a big country, Vietnam is a small country by comparison.
2. Vietnamese national GDP is smaller than the GDP of Chinese city ShenZhen.
3. South Vietnam lost the war against North Vietnam.
4. Pho is delicious.
5. Yang Zi is not CCP, he is smart, good looking, at the same time shameless, he loves America and China
Ngoa Long
Open the book, learn some more about international relations before talking nonsense! The US just needs China’s cheap labor and its ‘ illusory vast consumption market (!!!)’. And now it starts being disillusioned! China gave the world nothing except its predatory mercantilism having impoverished the whole world and worst still, its intolerable hegemonic ambitions and aggressiveness (to grab the whole south china sea by force for its own interests) have caused too much trouble for this peaceful region!! Like John Chan,despite living in the States, your mindset is still too old-fashioned! Stop whining about your lost empire,try to live with reality,behave responsibly and peacefully, otherwise the world will be forced to give China some lesson to remember for ever!You’ve already seen some alliances formed in Asia & the TPP? That’s just the start!
Cam
@yang zi,
With your “big country” and streetwise attitude, you certainly invite more enemies than friends. I said you are CCP mouthpiece because I don’t see you distinguish between Chinese as race and the CCP. You keep defending CCP policy; even consciously you know it is wrong to the core.
Being a Chinese could make you so special. I think I am not so wrong to call you a racist based on your comments seen so far on this site and no, I don’t want to be a friend of any racists.As long as you still have this kind of mentality, you don’t get any respects from me.
Foods are a part of culture and you enjoy the food while insulting the people and its culture. I criticized the CCP policies but I know the illegitimate govt of CCP can’t represent the Chinese people. Hopefully this could clear off some confusion on your part.
John
India did not even ask for F-35. So how is this “cherry picking”? If I were India, given the circumstances, I would choose FGFA; it is a better alternative since most of the technical know-how is shared between both parties involved. And chances are it is more cost effective anyway. Keep in mind, the enemy of the future is China and no US; India doesn’t see the need to own anything like an F-35 in its stable since most of the crap that Chengdu Aviation built have proven to be wasted steel.
John Chan
I didn’t realize USA is in control of India’s national policy already, deciding who is India’s enemy and whom India can befriend with. Can I officially call India an USA lackey now?
xi Chen
I am fairly sure the author was saying why the US should push to sell the J.S.F. to India, not that it should be the MRCA choice. Beside which, you hit the nail yourself. The Navy is an entire other story.
Ankur
Rightly said, US is pushing its F35 when India rejected their offer for F16,F18 (i.e aging technology). Because they are eying India-Russia joint 5th generation aircraft worth many billions. But India should be cautious of US background, because they are the one who helped providing weapons to Pakistan against India in every war. For the last fifty years they were not the very trustful partner for India (in case of defense buildup). They never helped India providing air crafts when China attacked in 1962 too. Now, since ‘war on terror’ ending up to be a flop show and their dying economy they are searching for new partners in sub continent. On the other hand Russia has helped India always. India should have higher vision of more involvement in actual technological development of 5th generation craft. This would enable India to reduce more technological dependence.
Having said that India should be cautious in choosing new friends (US) while keeping the old ones too.
John Chan
@Ankur,
I must protest on behalf of the USA that you blamed USA did not help in 1962. Without USA North East part of India will not still be part of India today. The chicken head would be cut off at its neck area. Such ungrateful mindset is not recommended in improving relationship with India’s protector to be.
Ankur
John. @ I understand your point, but you must also accept it was US to turned blind eye on Pakistan so that they can create Nuclear bombs. Whatever aid US gave to PAk in ‘War on Terror’ was spent on nukes. Ever since Daddy Osama gone, Pakistanis are pissed off. Now US get to know they are feeding snakes in backyard. They could not take military action against Pak because it might trigger nuclear war in Asia or even worse Taliban can get few nukes as freebies.
Sooner or later day has come when US knows they were wrong for past 50 years, by supporting Pakistan and not India.
Rakesh
The whole world knows that China broke it’s promise to live like brothers with India… U Chinese can try Ur whole life but can’t occupy da north east part of India… In fact , U didn’t win 1962 war cuz it was stopped…
Forgot ? U Chinese couldn’t even win against Vietnam 
ha ha
If U compare Urself with western countries , U r far behind them… Ur main enemy USA has 80 mega ton nuclear bomb while China just 20 kilo ton… ha ha
ozivan
Ankur. The US have been waiting for decades for an opportunity to drive a wedge between Indian and Russian solid military ties. And also try to create as much mistrust between China & India, apart from keeping the F35 project ongoing. It’s called killing 2 birds with one stone.
It’s American ingenuity in geopolitics playing now. The US can’t help it, it’s their second nature.
Fred Zimmerman
Dude, it’s “complement”, not “compliment”.
yang zi
Indian mil buildup is actually impressive. thanks in big part to China threat card. India has a role model, China benefited from Soviet thread card during cold war.
if BrahMos missile goes hypersonic, Even the mighty US warships will be defenseless. the first scramjet flight occured in Soviet Union in 1970s, so hypersonic BrahMos has a good chance to succeed. may be even before US’s very own hypersonic effort.
China’s yj-12 is also an impressive and hard to defend supersonic cruise missile,but its scramjet effort is probably behind that of US and Russia, which makes me upset. China’s millions of PhDs are food bucket.
China’s rise is indeed a herculean effort with paranoid sharks swimming around. China need decisive reforms to power another 30 years of healthy growth.
harry
you are over estamating the ability of the indian military. take China’s car manufacturing industry for example, its internal combusion cars are PATHETIC when compared to the western japanese and korean car makers, why? because these car makers has almost unlimited acess and able to establish and western monopoly in China, yes China is the biggest car market in the world but it is not helping China a bit in this particular sector.
apply this to the indian military industry and you can see why india can never survive let along win a war agaianst a world power like China who has its own robust military industry.
why? its simple india’s active service weaponary system is good enough to be considered an regional military power. however it has almost no military industry that can survive or supply and replace the weapons needed during an high intensity war with an world power like China.
John Chan
I totally agree with harry’s analysis. Qing bought it’s way to the largest navy in Asia, but without its own technical bases, Qing’s navy was merely a façade, one wind blow, it broke into pieces.
China should take action to correct the mistake they made on internal combustion car industry, China should give up the internal combustion car industry, and create a self reliant renewable energy automobile industry using the military industry’s self reliant strategy.
Perhaps China should get PLA to lead the development of renewable energy automobile industry, PLA has longer-term perspective, the civilians maybe are too profit originated and have been polluted by the western bottom line culture too much.
mareo2
Very unlikely that India buy the F-35 in the short or mid-term, they have their own fighter development programs and the JSF is very likely to have zero meaningful technology transfer for India. The only way I can imagine this happening is if their own development programs run even more out of cost and schedule and fail to give birth to fighters that can be considered a credible deterrence to the PLAAF’s fighters and we still don’t see many people drooling with the idea of buying chinese fighters. In ten or twenty years things can be different, but now is wishful thinking.
Instead Japan is very likely to end buying F-35 despite all the evident problems: rising costs, behind schedule, long list of waiting making delivery times to Japan beyond 2020, little if any technology transfer thanks to chinese cyber attacks. Because unlike India, Japan rely on the diplomatic deterrence of the US nuclear umbrella and the reinforcement of the US Navy 7th fleet for make military options too costly for the CCP’s aggressive territorial claims. In few words: is more about Japan’s strategic need of keep the US-Japan alliance strong, than about the merits of the F-35.
Leonard R.
I don’t think India needs the F35’s. And I don’t think the US should transfer technology that China might obtain – period. That goes for India, Japan, Taiwan or any other nation anywhere on earth.
Indian fighter pilots are extremely good. In a 2004 DACT (dissimilar air combat training) exercise, they more than held their own with US pilots. Some neutral observers claim India won that match-up.
In a hypothetical air war over the skies of Jammu, Kashmir & India, I would expect India to win a battle of the skies against China without any F35’s. India has better-trained pilots and superior jets. It also benefits from Indian ground-based air defense protecting its own skies. So if China attacks, it will be forced to use missiles early on. To take on the Indian air force in dog fights over its own territory, would be a suicide mission.
Maybe I’m wrong about that. I’m no expert. Someone can point out where I have it wrong. A protracted land war in that area, would be a different story.
The world needs to be grateful India is not a big player in cyber warfare.
There is enough hi-tech firepower in Bangalore alone, to shut off the lights all over the world.
Cam
I agree. IT alone, India is powerhouse. I work a lot with outsourcing Indians from InfoSys in Chennai and they always wow me with their knowledge and courtesy.
harry
lol, if you think the indian air force is so great then why dont you read and watch videos and comments made by US airforce pilots who had train with india. those so called observers rare have any insider information and are basically military enthusiasts on steorids.
Yang zi
India has a good geoposition in terms of Indian Ocean, but it has a huge disadvantage on the borders with China. China occupies the high land, Indian side is on lower end of a ramp. Much lower. There isn’t much strategic positions on China side for India to strike at. China has no interest to start a war with India, Indians recent deployment in the border area may just be a ploy before the border negotiations. A poor ploy I might add. But there are many in India is itching for a fight. As a map reader, @Leonard should know China can bottle Indian north east up and clean its troops there. In Kashmir, China just need a Lybia style war, let locals win their independence or join Pakistan.
Man
I admit India have less resources and Infra on Tibet Border but This is not 1962 you are living in 2011.This time china will get a lesson from India If attacked.
By the way I don’t think China will go for a land war seeing India’s Preparation,It may Be a Naval Adventure but in both the ways Chinese will have some lesson from India and there will be peace for next 50 yrs.
John Chan
Indian and Vietnamese are the same, claim victory no matter what, even their capitals were under gun sight of PLA’s cannon, they still claimed victory and had taught China a bloody nose lesson. Typical behaviour of a nation of honey words and pious gesture.
yang zi
but you have to admit, Vietnamese fought bravely. @Cam, can we be friends now?
ozivan
@Man. I don’t see how China would go for a naval battle with India in the Indian Ocean. It would be suicide for China.
However, if India provokes China in support of Vietnam in the SCS, then the outcome would be an easy guess.
Itsioni
Typhoon still very much in the Japan competition. They wanted F22. US said no can do. Next best thing by a mile is Typhoon. F35 could not get near it in an air defence scenario.
ozivan
@Itsioni. Except for economic and domestic matters, Japan is not allowed to decide on defence matters without US consent. So any aircraft other than those made in America is out of question.
Japan is still under US military occupation, a reduced presence , under a new nice sounding name called ” Military Bases Approved By Treaty “.
Major Lowen Gil Marquez, Phil Army
Selling F35 to India and Japan will be a great stratagem in air superiority in Asian sky against any threats that may wanted to destroy peace in ASIA that will effect a world peace, in selling it to japan it may recommend to used it only on defensive posture so it may not worry the world community as the written history happen in WW2. same with India it must be used within their legal boundaries to avoid any sign of Bully…
yang zi
Yes, India should buy some F-35, even though it will get some T50s, Japan has no choice but to buy F-35s
Philippines should buy some too, just to show how reliable Philippine is as a treaty ally to US.
America is spending $12 billion alone by stationing 50000 troops in Japan and S. Korea. it will spend more for the bases in Australia. its allies should come up with more money for America’s help. Why is Vietnam asking for US help, yet buying weapons from Russia and India? Is America using Vietnam or Vietnam using America?
Why can’t America smart up?
Duke Chan
By law, the US can not sell military equipment to Vietnam at this point. Vietnam is opening door widely to bring the US back. Pay attention closely to what its president is doing now in Hawaii, you can see VN’s main intention is helping the US to contain China.
John Chan
USA passed a Taiwan Relation Act to legitimatize its illegal interfere China’s internal affairs. USA also can pass a Vietnam Relation Act to legitimatize its interference of Vietnam internal affairs, such as banning VCP as illegal political party, expropriate Cam Ranh Bay for US naval base, etc. USA does not need Vietnam’s consent. You are just not very imaginative.
Gerald.V
The bottom line is national interests and profits. The US and Vietnam are becoming very closed friends, thanks to serveral major misteps of China’s agressions in SCS and ECS. In the past, the US had to pay for being present in Asia, but, the political situation has changed; most countries along the Asian Pacific rim are now willing to pay for the US to stay.
In the past, it would be almost unimaginable to think of a Vietnmese General (an ex-Viet Cong) and his military groups could step anywhere near the Pentagon, let alone of being inside one of its most important lecture halls and were warmly welcomed as special guests. Yes, it does now. That was exactly how it happened last month in Washington DC. The only thing we don’t know is, what other deals they have made with one another behind the closed door.
For the F-35, the X-47B and other advanced submarines, attack ships, etc. Yes, they will be deployed in Asia to prevent China’s bullying motives. But, who is going to pay for all of these? It’s the oil and gas along the Vietnamese’s coasts, stupid!
Yang zi
You are not stupid at all, Vietnam should use its oil revenue to pay for US protection, better pay the whole bill for America’s return to Cam Ranh Bay.
Polpot
@yang zi, welcoming the democracy America; home of millions of the Vietnamese Americans is much better than open the door for the IP theft of people republic of china.
Linh Cong Hoa
You got it, Yang. Paying for the Americans is much better than being get robbed by the Chinese. Surely, for you, the second option is the better one, right?
John Chan
Let me figure this out, Vietnam people fought for decades with millions of dead bodies to gain independence from their ex colonialist, invaders and butchers. Instead of it is the time Vietnam can use its own resources to improve the lives of its people, Vietnam gives all those resources to their ex colonial masters, invaders and butchers for free willingly? Amazingly Vietnamese bloggers are enthusiastically ushering Vietnam to become a vassal state of its former butcher.
It seems really there are willing suckers in world; they not only like to be kicked, tortured, butchered, raped, and sprayed with Agent Orange, they also will pay the perpetrator for their brutality and atrocity too.
Ly T Kiet
John Chan, if you were the Vietnamese and had the choice between, getting a good hired gun (USA) or allowing yourself to be robbed and killed by a bully (China CCP). Which option would you go for?
Wars is a part of life and it is in the human’s nature. Once the war is over, one would need to forgive, not to forget and move on.
Why the Japanese killed/raped over 200,000 people in Nanjin during WW2 and now lots of people in China still love to work for Japanese firms? Why the US nuked Japan’s 2 cities with many thousands deaths, and Japan had also killed many Americans at the Perl Habour, and now they are the best allies? Why after the Sino-Vietnam border war and many people got killed in both countries, and now they are still shaking hands with one another? The why question will go on for many countries like Germany versus Europe, the UK versus France, America, and the US versus Germany, etc.
Going back to the Vietnamese case, unlike 1979 or 1984, in 2011, there millions of Vietnamese origin are now the citizens of many countries around the World. Millions of Vietnamese Americans in the US will be the bridge of friendship for the US of A and Vietnam relationship to grow. Again, once the war is over, let’s not kept living in the past and constant hatre. As they say, life goes on.
ozivan
@John Chan. Isn’t that called the ” Stockholm syndrome ” that you once talked about elsewhere ?
ozivan
@Ly T Kiet. You have given very sensible arguments. Well done.
I wish to add further, Why don’t Vietnam and China jointly develop the resources of the SCS ? Some Vietnamese bloggers would of course say, Vietnam can do as she pleases…so are bloggers from China. Reality is there is much garbage toss against each other here in Diplomat.
Thousands come to read the garbage, but few offer peaceful solutions acceptable to all parties. None will give in.
a_canadian_observer
@ozivan: @”Ly T Kiet. You have given very sensible arguments. Well done.
I wish to add further, Why don’t Vietnam and China jointly develop the resources of the SCS ? Some Vietnamese bloggers would of course say, Vietnam can do as she pleases…so are bloggers from China. Reality is there is much garbage toss against each other here in Diplomat.
Thousands come to read the garbage, but few offer peaceful solutions acceptable to all parties. None will give in.”
VN and china could be good partners. But the first step must be mutual respect. china must agree to resolving the SCS case through the UN, with international laws, as VN, Phillipines and other SEA nations suggested. Once the issue is resolved by such method, and china stops its bully and thuggy tactics. Everybody can get along.
John Chan
@a_Canadian_observer,
Any party stating pre-condition to start a negotiation is insincere. I am surprised that after reading that much garbage on this site, you have not learnt a single bit, and are still insisting Vietnamese and Philippine rogue states have the truth.
Ly T Kiet understands the reality, life has to go on. If Vietnam and Philippines cannot stand the heat they need to get out of the kitchen, yelling hot in the kitchen is not going get them cooler.
a_canadian_observer
@John Chan:
You can do a poll on this site to see who hasn’t learnt – you or I.
By calling “Vietnamese and Philippine rogue states”, you’ve nullified all your statements, because the fact is it’s china that owns the thuggy and pirate actions.
Of course, life goes on, and time will tell, buddy.
Bobby
I’d bet that many people didn’t realize the real capability of the F-35, particularly the B version. It is the short-take-off/vertical-landing (STOVL) version that is much more suitable for India’s aircraft carrier than the Russian Mig-29 that’s been a lemon so far.
Unlike American aircraft carriers, the Russian designed carrier which the Chinese is also now using, doesn’t have catapult launch. Instead, it depends on a slopy jump to get the necessary lift while taking off. Because of the short runway and the ramp doesn’t really add much extra lift, the fighter aircraft could not carry all the available weapon load as well as fuel. Thus, the range to those aircrafts is limited to defending the carrier and not long range strike like the U.S. Navy’s F/A-18 Super Hornet. Not to mention the fact that the short runway and ramp are also not able to receive heavier aircrafts for transport and AWACS. And as we all know, the number of aircrafts on board are quite limited.
Therefore, with the utilization of the F-35Bs, the Indian Navy could make a quick jump to increasing the total number of aircrafts on a carrier, at the same time be flexible and carry out longer missions with more lethal affects. Of course, one can argue all day long about how fast and easily to maneouver the Russian jets are, but what ultimately matters is that if you cannot see the enemy, you will be killed first. And when it comes to stealth and avionics, the F-35 will defeat any 4th generation aircraft outthere now.
John Chan
I bet that Bobby didn’t realize F-35B carries even less payload than those ski jump (Bobby, note the proper term, it is not call slopy jump) carrier aircraft.
I also bet that Bobby didn’t realize that “if you cannot see the enemy, you will be killed first.” also applies to F-35 too.
a_canadian_observer
Agreed! These are mo match for the chinese-made Russian flying machines
Bobby
Excuse me for calling it like it is: A slopy jump.
Those aircrafts that are planned for the Chinese carrier may have heavier weapons load, but only if they could have a normal runway to take off from. The short distance of the carrier’s runway does not allow them to take off with full load or they would end up in the water. Thus, it doesn’t really matter what it “theoretically” can carry. If it can’t realistically bring enough weapons to the fight. It’s game over.
Light weapons load plus limited fuel due to required low weight for take-off make those jets far less lethal than the F-35. Also, none of them are stealthy nor equipped with powerful radar that can detect the F-35. “If you can’t see the enemy…” here will apply solely to those aircrafts, not the F-35, which can see 360-degree.
The capability of the mothership is even less stellar. Without nuclear fuel, it can travel very far or enduring long battle engagement. Without sufficient AWACS, air-refueling, the carrier is just a big target on water.
I am sure the Indian Navy is seriously considering the F-35, despite the high cost. It will boost the number of aircrafts on the carrier without investing in additional number of carriers, at the same time overwhelm the potential adversary with better technology and lethal tactics. In the long run, it will prove to be the best investment yet.
harry Khan
The US is now borrowing 40 cents of every dollar it spends; the deficit is US$ 1.5 trillion (160% of South Korea’s entire GDP); the debt is almost US$10 trillion; the IMF [International Monetary Fund] predicts America’s debt-to-GDP ratio will exceed 100% by the end of the decade; and integrated US national security spending tops US$1.2 trillion, 25% of the budget and 7% of the GDP. These are mind-boggling figures that all but mandate some manner of US retrenchment from its current global footprint.
The initial speculation was that the US was making a last-minute effort to gatecrash India’s mega tender for the purchase of 126 multi-role combat aircraft, from which Delhi has “disqualified” the original American bids of F-16 aircraft. However, the analysts’ “discovery” is that the US has desperately sought Indian participation in the JSF’s development as the program faces unaffordable rising costs, with a price tag estimated at $150 million per aircraft. In sum, the JSF has become a white elephant and, hopefully, cross breeding it with the Indian black elephant might just about make its uncertain progeny probably airworthy as a beast of burden.
Bobby
Although your assessment has some merits, it is far-fetched as calling the potential sale to India could really save the JSF program. It would help to offset somewhat the final cost, but not very much. The planned purchase by the U.S. Airforce/Navy/Marines alone would amount to more than 2400, plus another 1000 more by the allied countries. Furthermore, with the purchase by India it also means a large portion of the number of aircrafts will be assembled in India, as part of the incentives. The benefits that could bring are tremendous and would definite affirm the relationship with the U.S. for a long time to come.
As for the claim on $1.2 trillion defense budget, you better check that again.
Dave
You’re absolutely right!The F35Bs will be extremely useful for amphibious landing crafts & small carriers!J20 is surely no match for a high-tech F35B/C/A! Together with the coming X47Bs, the US Navy will have at least 20 aircraft carriers, enough to discourage any evil ambitious power like China! F35Bs will be the right choice for Japan, Australia, India etc., in boosting their air power in light of the more and more assertive aggressiveness of a communist China!
ozivan
@Dave. Fabulous sales pitch for the F35. Well done. We should appoint you as Sales representative to break or sabotage India’s deal for the Rafale or Typhoon. The US up till now still can’t find a man to do this job.
Dave
@ozivan,
Take a look at The F-35B short takeoff/vertical landing variant completed ship suitability testing aboard the USS WASP (LHD-1) off the coast of Virginia in October 2011! With the F35Bs, all US amphibious assault ships like the USS WASP will be the semi-aircraft carriers with enough air power to support amphibious operations as well as crushing any enemy defense!
http://www.military.com/video/aircraft/jet-fighters/f-35b-ship-suitability-testing/1266726675001/
Bach Dang Giang
@Dave, thanks for sharing the link; very informative and well entertaining.
The F-35Bs series are indeed impressive. The F-35B’s vertical landing performance has reminded me a lot of the British Sea Harrier in the 80s.
Bobby
The sales pitch for the F-35 -more specifically the “B” version- is aimed at the Mig-29 that the Russians have been struggling to deliver for the Indian aircraft carrier. The F-35B will be perfect for nations with small aircraft carriers.
BTW, Ozivan, as an “Australian”, you will soon see those F-35Bs once the U.S. Marines set up shop ther, heh?
John Chan
@Dave,
I am convinced by your argument about the super capabilities of F-35B. Actually I believe American and it allies should abandon the F-35A all together and build F-35B only. The STOVL advantages of F-35B apply to land too. With F-35B there is no need to build big expensive airbases anymore, the money saved on the large expensive air bases can be used to get more F-35B, isn’t it a fantastic idea? There must be CCP moles in the USA air force, Lockheed Martin, etc. who have been directing USA and its allies into wasting money and time on inferior and flawed F-35A.
Dave
FYI–Northrop Grumman has developed the only 360 degree, spherical situational awareness system in the electro-optical distributed aperture system (DAS). The DAS surrounds the F-35 aircraft with a protective sphere of situational awareness. It warns the pilot of incoming aircraft and missile threats as well as providing day/night vision, fire control capability and precision tracking of wingmen/friendly aircraft for tactical maneuvering.
http://www.military.com/video/aircraft/jet-fighters/f-35-das-warns-pilot-of-threats/909595981001/
John Chan
@Dave,
Fantastic, let’s kill the F-35A and make F-35B only.
Dave
F35A/B/Cs all are equipped with this system! J20s of course is no match and maybe just a show-off!!!
a_canadian_observer
@Dave: I disagree. These are no match for the chinese-made Russian flying machines (a.k.a. J20, etc.)
Wen
Sorry to disappoint you but: The Russian-copied flying machine called J-20 is a long way from being called generation 5 fighter. First, it needs a powerful engine, which China is well known for not being able to produce. Second, it needs shaping and stealth coating, which -from the look of it- is a huge monster with engine nozzles sticking out like giant glow sticks. And thirdly, the avionics and software to control and communicate in stealthy mode, to detect enemies and kill from distances beyond their visual range. Flying a prototype around doesn’t make it a real stealth fighter.
Eric Splendor
WWIII will start when the USA attacks Pakistan to neutralise its nukes.
Pakistan will counter the US attack by dispersing their nukes to the Islamist radicals and using some on their attackers.
Iran will join the fray, the nation by now will have master the art of making nukes.
And so, as predicted by the Bible, will WWIII begin in a clash OF CIVILISATION, Christainity against Islam.
Unlike the medieval time, this war will be fought with the power of the atom.
Anoop
I think this is not at all an sweet spot where there are already capabilities in FGFA front I think India need to concentrate on Unmanned Hypersonic Stealth fighters in line with Brahmos 2 near effect of scramjets. This can undermine many threats and comprehensively doesn’t require a manned mission to accomplish the Target. I think the partnering innovation is almost hit on the roof. Now its the time to drive innovation by India itself.