New Ground? Emirates reject Hawk 120.

[Izzy1]

We got the news at BAE yesterday, but quite a shock.

However, now first export for the Macchi or the KAI?

http://investing.reuters.co.uk/news/articleinvesting.aspx?rpc=401&type=allBreakingNews&storyID=2007-10-30T092549Z_01_WLA2047_RTRIDST_0_BAE-UAE-URGENT.XML

[swerve]

We got the news at BAE yesterday, but quite a shock.

However, now first export for the Macchi or the KAI?

Looks like it.

Since they were interested in Mako until it turned out they'd have to finance development themselves & risk being the only customer, perhaps they prefer supersonic, i.e. T-50.

[pshamim]

Wonder what could be the reason. Indians just bought them but rejected by UAE.

Let us wait for more news on this subject.

[drg]

On strategypage.com they said that the UAE was going to buy the T-50.

As well as Singapore and Greece I should add.

[swerve]

On strategypage.com they said that the UAE was going to buy the T-50.

As well as Singapore and Greece I should add.

Seems someone on Strategypage knows more than the people evaluating the aircraft. Or maybe they're just wrong. :D

I belive this comes from a Korean politician who (apparently badly briefed) said something of the kind.

[European]

Hope win the best, so the european M-346 :D :D :D

[Viper7]

Well perhaps the Emirates went for the logical choice. Like Singapore and Greece, who're both operators of American F-16s. It would only be right to go for a similar system, which would offer their trainee fighter pilots a smooth transition from trainer (T-50s) to fighters (F-16s). Mind you, all these air forces have the Vipers as their primary fighter.

RSAF (Singapore) operates around 70 Vipers, as the mainstay in its fighter fleet. HAF (Greece) fields 140 Vipers, which is the backbone of its force. And UAEAF (Emirates), is the only operator of the most formidable fighting falcon in the world today, the F-16 E/F Block-60 Desert Falcon. It has 80 of these babies and constitutes the primary frontline fighter in its inventory.

As for indians buying the Hawk .... lemme ask you this, how many fighter types does india operate, which are American? The answer is .... Zilch, Nada, None!! Catch my drift?!!

[swerve]

Well perhaps the Emirates went for the logical choice. Like Singapore and Greece, who're both operators of American F-16s. It would only be right to go for a similar system, which would offer their trainee fighter pilots a smooth transition from trainer (T-50s) to fighters (F-16s). Mind you, all these air forces have the Vipers as their primary fighter.

RSAF (Singapore) operates around 70 Vipers, as the mainstay in its fighter fleet. HAF (Greece) fields 140 Vipers, which is the backbone of its force. And UAEAF (Emirates), is the only operator of the most formidable fighting falcon in the world today, the F-16 E/F Block-60 Desert Falcon. It has 80 of these babies and constitutes the primary frontline fighter in its inventory.
...

You missed the bit about the claim being false? A statement by a Korean politician, unsupported by anything from any of the supposed customers?

Greece, for example, now has a stake in the M346, through an agreement almost two years ago with HAI, which is very likely to influence Greek selection.

I'll believe it when the governments of Greece, Singapore & the UAE say they've decided.

[Viper7]

You missed the bit about the claim being false? A statement by a Korean politician, unsupported by anything from any of the supposed customers?

Greece, for example, now has a stake in the M346, through an agreement almost two years ago with HAI, which is very likely to influence Greek selection.

I'll believe it when the governments of Greece, Singapore & the UAE say they've decided.

Yes I believe I've read something on the Greek involvement in the Aermacchi M-346s. Thankyou for bringing that up.

But I would like to know your thoughts on countries operating F-16s, opting for T-50s. Would it not be a viable and logical option to go for? I mean, Lockheed has a hand in both aircrafts and the similarity in avionics would make it easier for pilots to transition from one type to another.