Is Saudi Arabia interested in the F-35?

[BeyondHeretic]

It's mostly through contracts in the USA and tax payer money, Israel isn't paying that much. It's more if the FMF money received and contracts awarded by the Pentagon which usually always funds weapon programs going to israel for free. Of course the excuse pro israel supporters make is that it create jobs in the defense industry. Sometimes they like to compare it aid going to arabic nations or other Muslim nations which even if more in money is not near the value or technology that goes to israel. Which is way over the $3 billion they claim only goes to israel. While leaving out all the congress funding and contracts awarded.

I know americans are going with this departmenting and money like you said , but if a race comes between Israel and America in stealing money , I would say Israel would win , I mean evethough americans are creating jobs for themselves by giving funds to Israel which are gonna go back to US eventually , I still think Israel is more beneficiary to this than the US. that was my 2 cents btw.

 

[Doritos11]

Not really, many navies around the world operate fighters without aircraft carriers. They take specialized customizations for their fighters and equip them with Air-Surface missiles and Air superiority role. They have proven to be very effective at sea operations, more so than the AirForce.

But then it cannot land on naval platforms, unless you have helicopter carriers large enough though the hangar will not be fitted for it and it will not carry a lot of jets.

 

[Mosamania]

I think the IAF is not planning on matching the KSA airforce , anyhow if it comes to that they can start to boast about their inventory of missiles and nukes , and by they I mean jewish members of this forum.

Ballistic Missiles are hardly factored in if at all in western doctrine of conventional war which both KSA and Israel follow. However a comparison of equipment is what is factored.

But then it cannot land on naval platforms, unless you have helicopter carriers large enough though the hangar will not be fitted for it and it will not carry a lot of jets.

It will not land on naval platforms, it will operate from coastal airports. Naval fighters in countries with no ACs are used for defensive purposes. Like stopping a landing craft fleet, or even sinking an enemy AC and Large sea assets.

 

[Falcon29]

People overestimate Israel dramatically of you ask me, Israel is overestimated as much as KSA is underestimated. Due to financial issues Israel wasn't able to acquire more than 25 F-15is. They wanted more and they still do but they can't.

I agree, although I think the final deal was for 75 fighter craft by 2020 I believe. Although, Israeli pilots have a lot of flying time and this enables them to have better training since they can be more flexible.

People overestimate them because the US support and funding behind them. As we've seen over history in every war they get diplomatic shields from the USA and immediate funding which is the problem.

Just like the recent offensive on Gaza,the 8 day war, they resupplied their inventory from congress funding once again.

 

[rockstarIN]

SAF can acquire PAK FA if they really press for it with russians, I mean its a choice.

 

[BeyondHeretic]

Ballistic Missiles are hardly factored in if at all in western doctrine of conventional war which both KSA and Israel follow. However a comparison of equipment is what is factored.

Well according to Israelis themselves , if they are gonna be thrown into the red sea , then they gonna nuke some muslim capital , they said they were gonna do it in 1973 and gonna do it in the near future , so my 2 cents again , Israel will nuke some muslim capital if it's gonna be thrown into the sea.

 

[Falcon29]

I know americans are going with this departmenting and money like you said , but if a race comes between Israel and America in stealing money , I would say Israel would win , I mean evethough americans are creating jobs for themselves by giving funds to Israel which are gonna go back to US eventually , I still think Israel is more beneficiary to this than the US. that was my 2 cents btw.

Oh absolutely, most Americans realize that. It's not so much the American public that supports this, it's the government which continues to give unwavering support to their military and in return Americans get more demands from the Israeli government and no progress towards a two state solution.

Which is incredibly disappointing.

 

[Mosamania]

I agree about the timetable, maybe by 2017 they would have interest. Which seems reasonable since israel is getting the out of the factory sorties with the same technology by the UK/US just made by Israeli industries for their economical purposes. And I'm still wondering where israel would do their maintenance for their 5th generation planes and I read that the US is demanding them to be done in Europe. Also comes to kind about the KSA, maybe they can do theirs in Turkey.

If you say so with confidence then I do believe you. Eventually israel will have 70 aircraft and that's when I foresee KSA acquiring some B versions maybe like the UK is.

I also wish to see by then their missiles and helmet technology made in the KSA on their planes just as israel is. And it would have to be negotiated with the US and KSA should back down if they won't be allowed to put their sorties.

In time my friend, currently our arms industry is still in its infancy, these things take time, decades in order to reach the High Tech league.

We have a more powerful aircraft maintenance industry than Israel. In fact Greek send their F-16 engines to KSA to be maintained here, as well as other GCC countries. But yeah getting the F-35 maintenance rights will be very tricky.

 

[Falcon29]

SAF can acquire PAK FA if they really press for it with russians, I mean its a choice.

You mean in the put funding into the program? But what can guarantee them results? Do you really they can come near US technology in these planes? And by the time the first batch would be out the F-35 would already be tested by several nations and it will soon get to 5.5 gen aircraft.

I think they should just stick to the F program.

What's surprising though is the UK put most behind the US into funding this program yet israel will receive the planes before the UK and other tier 1 nations.

 

[BeyondHeretic]

Oh absolutely, most Americans realize that. It's not so much the American public that supports this, it's the government which continues to give unwavering support to their military and in return Americans get more demands from the Israeli government and no progress towards a two state solution.

Which is incredibly disappointing.

With all due respect I haven't been to America , but I've been to Canada , and I can tell you this difference between the American public and their government is a pure BS reiterated by the Iranian officials ; and that 's because back then they used to go to America and sleep with their girls , they still think American girls are different from the federal government , like in X-files.

 

[Mosamania]

SAF can acquire PAK FA if they really press for it with russians, I mean its a choice.

The disappointing thing is that our AirForce was closely watching the development of the T-50, however our relations with Russia took a nose dive after the Syrian crisis.

 

[Falcon29]

The disappointing thing is that our AirForce was closely watching the development of the T-50, however our relations with Russia took a nose dive after the Syrian crisis.

I don't think the PAK project will be successful in time, in time that it is. I'm sure they can make significant progress but is it really going to match US standards especially with the large funding going into the F-35.

I wonder also what China has in store for a fifth generation aircraft.

 

[Yabgu]

Currently our AirForce is extremely busy on inducting two new Aircrafts already, the F-15SA will replace the F-15S. The Typhoon is replacing the F-5s. However down the road in 2020 perhaps we will be forced to retire the Tornadoes, so maybe by 2017 or 2018 a 5th generation aircraft (Most likely F-35) deal will be signed. By the. It will become cheaper and more mature.

Currently the Typhoons and F-15SAs serves their role extremelly will, even when Israel eventually induct the F-35s in around 2018 they will be hard pressed to "Match" our capabilities then. And Israel is only getting 25 F-35s then. And with only 100 F-16is and 25 F-15is to face our fleet of 72+ Eurofighters, and 156 F15SAs and 85 Panavia Tornadoes.

The IAF won't throw in other aircrafts at KSA because it simply can't match it.

100 F16, 25 F15? Israel had 300+ F16 and 80 F15.

 

[Yabgu]

I think the US kinda forced Israel in the f-35 program like they did turkey to grab their money

Nobody forced us we joined and actually we are making very good money from it as there is alot of Turkish companies working for the F35 so actually we will get good return for the $10+ billion purchase of the F35s.

 

[Falcon29]

100 F16, 25 F15? Israel had 300+ F16 and 80 F15.

Many of their engines have thousands of miles flown in them and some deteriorate, a couple weeks ago one crashed off the coast of Gaza here.