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Huh, I had no idea, thanks. I guess that goes some way to explaining the announcement last year that Sweden might join UK/Italy to develop a 'sixth Generation'
by detritus 6y ago
Huh, I had no idea, thanks.
I guess that goes some way to explaining the announcement last year that Sweden might join UK/Italy to develop a 'sixth Generation' fighter, the so-called 'Tempest'.
Not knowing any better, I simply assumed it was Brexit-related and we in the UK expected to burn bridges with our French and German industrial partners.
- jabl 6y agoI think the reason is they're realizing that developing a high end next generation jet fighter is incredibly expensive, and is only getting more so. So partnering with allies (even if not formally in the sense that Sweden is not part of NATO) makes all the sense in the world. As to why there are two next generation European fighters planned (the Tempest you mention, and then there's another French/German/Spanish(?) effort), no idea. It doesn't make sense.
- rjsw 6y ago> As to why there are two next generation European fighters planned (the Tempest you mention, and then there's another French/German/Spanish(?) effort), no idea. It doesn't make sense. It makes total sense. Dassault doesn't play well with the other children and Germany won't pay for aircraft that it ordered (Typhoon and Atlas).
- mandevil 6y agoThe UK hasn't gone it alone in a air-to-air focused fighter since before the Arrow was cancelled (The English Electric Lightening, I think). Every more recent fighter that was primarily about air-to-air has been multinational.