"50 RAF Typhoons to be additionally cut back"...

[Polecat]

Anyway,the Typhoon can deliver ordinance quite efficiently as well.

correct me if I'm wrong, but I think that basically is the problem with these oldies... converting them into FGR4 standard is really expensive, if possible at all....

They will probably only be suited for a second life as aerial targets..

[Hans Rolink]

The story of (RAF) Typhoons and their capabilities is a complicated one, with some earlier jets being more capable than some later ones. The existence of CP's (Change Proposals) doesn't make it any easier. Read it all at http://www.fast-air.co.uk/typhoon-block ... ummary/and AFM January 2011. Between Tranche 1 and 2 there are indeed some build changes, although the Tranches basically represent finaincial and contract boundaries. Within Tranche 1, Blocks 1, 2 and 2B are Air Defence only in increasing levels of capability, Block 5 is the famous "austere ground attack capability".

Hans.

[Canberra TT.18]

True.
The RAF is to end up with around 100 Typhoons around 2020 according to SDSR, nothing new here. So the early Tranche 1 birds would be surplus according to the original plan.
In case of the Japanese, I would be tempted. Air defence only, two squadrons of F-4EJ Kais to replace.... The JSF is of little use to them, it being a Joint STRIKE Fighter seeking its place in the Japanese Air SELF DEFENCE Force....

Hans.

With aggression from both China and North Korea to contend with,don't assume the Japanese military will be Self Defense Forces perpetually.

Anyway,the Typhoon can deliver ordinance quite efficiently as well.

RAF Typhoon production as contracted=232 airplanes,minus 72 for the Royal Saudi Air Force=160,minus 53 tranche 1 examples=107 airplanes left.Still too many for projected RAF requirements.

If I’m not mistaken the numbers are:

Tranche 1 = 53 - was 57 (4 to Austria)
Tranche 2 = 67 – was 87 (24 to Saudi Arabia + 4 replacements for Austrian ones)
Tranche 3A = 40
Tranche 3B = 48 (probably not to be ordered)
Total 208 + 24 (Saudi’s) = 232

How is it possible in these days of on going updates in all kinds off military systems, that an aircraft only 5 years old is to expensive to update!!!??? And some are update already look at the mixed F.2 /FGR.4 fleet.
It seems to me that updating the Typhoons must be cheaper than keeping 25+ year old Tornado’s in the air or buying a single F-35C sqn for the air force. And what is the problem with keeping 2 dedicated air defence sqn’s with just F.2’s instead of multi role aircraft? Maybe not flexible to use, but they could take care of the homeland security.

I’m just a bit flabbergasted.

Pieter

[Hans Rolink]

How is it possible in these days of on going updates in all kinds off military systems, that an aircraft only 5 years old is to expensive to update!!!??? And some are update already look at the mixed F.2 /FGR.4 fleet.
It seems to me that updating the Typhoons must be cheaper than keeping 25+ year old Tornado’s in the air or buying a single F-35C sqn for the air force. And what is the problem with keeping 2 dedicated air defence sqn’s with just F.2’s instead of multi role aircraft? Maybe not flexible to use, but they could take care of the homeland security.

I’m just a bit flabbergasted.

Pieter

Nothing to do with not being possible or not. You're right that in the Cold War years this would simply have been done. Fact is, the British government thinks that so and so many Typhoons will be surplus to requirements, more precisely, they can't afford them any longer. It's not just the cost of conversion, it's the running costs of the planes, the bases, the staff, etc. In such a case, it makes sense to keep the newest/most up to date ones.
The UK is on the verge of the same situation Greece found itself in and will have to pay massively more interest over their loans if they don't cut expenses. That is all there is to it.
Same with the Harriers, same with the Nimrod MRA.4's.

Hans.

[Canberra TT.18]

How is it possible in these days of on going updates in all kinds off military systems, that an aircraft only 5 years old is to expensive to update!!!??? And some are update already look at the mixed F.2 /FGR.4 fleet.
It seems to me that updating the Typhoons must be cheaper than keeping 25+ year old Tornado’s in the air or buying a single F-35C sqn for the air force. And what is the problem with keeping 2 dedicated air defence sqn’s with just F.2’s instead of multi role aircraft? Maybe not flexible to use, but they could take care of the homeland security.

I’m just a bit flabbergasted.

Pieter

Nothing to do with not being possible or not. You're right that in the Cold War years this would simply have been done. Fact is, the British government thinks that so and so many Typhoons will be surplus to requirements, more precisely, they can't afford them any longer. It's not just the cost of conversion, it's the running costs of the planes, the bases, the staff, etc. In such a case, it makes sense to keep the newest/most up to date ones.
The UK is on the verge of the same situation Greece found itself in and will have to pay massively more interest over their loans if they don't cut expenses. That is all there is to it.
Same with the Harriers, same with the Nimrod MRA.4's.

Hans.

Hans

Very clear, but still strange to buy 160 and cut 1/3 of the fleet within a few years (in a fighter live nowdays).

Pieter