Defence forces surrounding the South China Sea.

[Afghanisdan]

Originally Posted by kuma

Considering that the primary external threat is china, it makes no sense to be dependent on them for your major weapons systems.

That was my thought as well.

[GMan88]

Originally Posted by kuma

Considering that the primary external threat is china, it makes no sense to be dependent on them for your major weapons systems.

Okay, I guess there was a misunderstanding when you said "won't sell to us". I had thought THEY wouldn't sell to us, not us not wanting to be dependent on them.

Anyway, am sure our defense thinktank can figure out the most useful platform in terms of utility and cost.

[PacificSentinel]

Originally Posted by GMan88

Anyway, am sure our defense thinktank can figure out the most useful platform in terms of utility and cost.

I think your best bet for NEW fighters is either the RoK T-50 Golden Eagle (trainer, ground attack & light A2A) or the much better SAAB Gripen.

[kuma]

Originally Posted by PacificSentinel

I think your best bet for NEW fighters is either the RoK T-50 Golden Eagle (trainer, ground attack & light A2A) or the much better SAAB Gripen.

If price is an issue with refurbished F-16s, more so for brand new jet w/c is going to cost substantially more.

[PacificSentinel]

Originally Posted by kuma

If price is an issue with refurbished F-16s, more so for brand new jet w/c is going to cost substantially more.

More in upfront cost, but less in life cycle cost, & it seem to be the life cycle cost & length of service life, that is in the way of the F-16 acquisition.

[GMan88]

Originally Posted by PacificSentinel

More in upfront cost, but less in life cycle cost, & it seem to be the life cycle cost & length of service life, that is in the way of the F-16 acquisition.

Agree.

[PacificSentinel]

Originally Posted by PacificSentinel

I think your best bet for NEW fighters is either the RoK T-50 Golden Eagle (trainer, ground attack & light A2A) or the much better SAAB Gripen.

Seems you’re looking at the Italian M-346 or possibly the RoK T-50 I mentioned in the above post.


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Italy's Alenia seeks to supply DND up to P6.87-B worth of aircraft

Italy's Alenia Aermacchi S.p.A. is offering the Department of National Defense four to six units of its €20-million apiece M-346 surface attack plane, the firm’s local partner, Aerotech Industries told GMA News Online.

Aerotech Industries chief operating officer Tess Parian said the P1.14 billion price tag on each M-346 “could still change depending on the requirements or specifications the Philippine Air Force may provide later.”

The four-to-six-unit package would cost about P4.58 billion to P6.87 billion at the current exchange rat of P57.28:€1.

Parian said their likely competitor for the supply contract is the Korea Aerospace Industries—maker of the T-50—which Alenia Aermacchi was up against in supply contract biddings in other countries.

Read the full story at GMA News

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I think the T-50/FA-50 would be better, it’s a supersonic aircraft & it has better A2A capabilities (it's based on the F-16 after all) than the M-346.

[GMan88]

I'd go with the T-50 too, a bonus would be I think the better terms South Korea would be willing to give us.

[PhilipLaos]

The first batch of 2,500 US Marines to be deployed in Australia began work on Wednesday as Washington bolsters its presence in the Asia-Pacific to "seek a balance of power with China".

Some 200 Marines touched down in tropical Darwin overnight as part of an enhanced defense cooperation outlined during a visit by US President Barack Obama in November. The troops are in the Northern Territory on a six-month rotational basis and will be based at Robertson Barracks on the outskirts of the city, building to some 2,500 by 2016-2017.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry had no response to the troop deployment as of press time on Wednesday. But ministry spokesman Liu Weimin said earlier that against the backdrop of a sluggish global economy and an international consensus and focus on promoting development, it is worth debating whether strengthening and expanding the US-Australia military alliance is appropriate and consistent with the common aspirations of countries in the region and the international community. Geng Yansheng, spokesman for the Defense Ministry, in late November criticized the US' strengthened military pact with Australia, calling it a figment of "Cold War mentality" that will destabilize the Asia-Pacific region.

More at: http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/cndy/20...t_14979009.htm

Philip

[TacCovert4]

Well I can definitely say that the Marines will have no qualms with 'Australia Duty'.....two words sum it up.....Aussie women.

[kuma]

http://www.ottawacitizen.com/news/Ph...818/story.html

There's a stand-off happening right now between the Philippine Navy's new flagship i.e. former Hamilton Coast Guard Cutter from the US and some PLAN vessels over a bunch of Chinese fishermen. So who's going to blink first? Now would be a nice time to have some PAF aircraft do some flyovers for morale support, at the very least while the diplomats do their thing.

[PitchRate]

Good luck to the Philippine Navy. I hope they can protect their country's just sovereignty.

[GMan88]

Originally Posted by kuma

http://www.ottawacitizen.com/news/Ph...818/story.html

There's a stand-off happening right now between the Philippine Navy's new flagship i.e. former Hamilton Coast Guard Cutter from the US and some PLAN vessels over a bunch of Chinese fishermen. So who's going to blink first? Now would be a nice time to have some PAF aircraft do some flyovers for morale support, at the very least while the diplomats do their thing.

The two chinese ships are "surveillance" ships? Are those armed? I'd say the Hamilton can take those out easily, but surely calm heads will prevail.

[PacificSentinel]

Yakovlev Yak-130 Mitten (Wiki Info)


Russia’s Yak-130 Joins Philippine Combat Trainer Tender

Russia has decided to join a tender on the delivery of six light fighter jets to the Philippines with its new Yakovlev Yak-130 Mitten combat trainer, state-run arms exporter Rosoboronexport said on Wednesday.

“We are taking part in the Philippine tender with the Yak-130 aircraft,” deputy general director of Rosoboronexport, Viktor Komardin, said at the Defense Services Asia-2012 arms show in Malaysia.

The tender for six aircraft to replace the retired U.S.-built Northrop F-5A Tiger fighters was announced last year. The results will be made public in two to three months, the Russian official said. Two rival designs, the Italian Alenia Aermacchi M-346 and South Korea's KAI TA-50, are also competing in the tender

LINK

[kuma]

Originally Posted by PacificSentinel

Yakovlev Yak-130 Mitten (Wiki Info)


Russia’s Yak-130 Joins Philippine Combat Trainer Tender

Russia has decided to join a tender on the delivery of six light fighter jets to the Philippines with its new Yakovlev Yak-130 Mitten combat trainer, state-run arms exporter Rosoboronexport said on Wednesday.

“We are taking part in the Philippine tender with the Yak-130 aircraft,” deputy general director of Rosoboronexport, Viktor Komardin, said at the Defense Services Asia-2012 arms show in Malaysia.

The tender for six aircraft to replace the retired U.S.-built Northrop F-5A Tiger fighters was announced last year. The results will be made public in two to three months, the Russian official said. Two rival designs, the Italian Alenia Aermacchi M-346 and South Korea's KAI TA-50, are also competing in the tender

LINK

IMO Russia had better be prepared to significantly undercut the prices of its competitors. All 3 jets are very capable with the Korean T/A-50 having the advantage of supersonic flight, not sure about the other two.