Still not free from US control (ITAR) as they manufactured the Gripen E engine (GE 414G), unless we are willing to spend additional funds to change the engine to other manufacturer like Rolls-Royce or Safran.

Link: Gripen E Multirole Fighter Aircraft

Typhoon actually is arguably 1 of the best fighter outside of F22 now, and has a lot of upgrades planned actually - Brimstone and Paveways, Meteor BVRAAM, Captor AESA radar, maybe CFTs

Gripen NG is also newer than F16, could have lots more life especially since there are few (no) other Western single-engine types being offered. It's a new airframe and could have lots of upgrade potential

Typhoon upgrade was already stated during buy in including Brimstone and Paveways, Meteor BVRAAM and Captor AESA radar but dont know about CFT(maybe i miss those). when those upgrade available, the user will be able to get it. the reason i said it have bleak future because german air force may decided(some said already in motion) to get F35 rather than another batch of typhoon. this will be follow by other EU maybe which will make the market even smaller for typhoon. thus less sale,no production,maybe close line and less future upgrade. but who know, the saudi and the gang might "cough" up money for BAE to upgrade typhoon since they cant get F35.

I not confident with Gripen NG. its the E/F series right??its still early stage and need time to mature.

Yes E/F series

People don't trust it only. But Saab have good track record all the way back to Draken, and it could turn out better than F16... In fact if it was sold by US confirm people would be rushing to buy

As it is the real story is that F35 captured a huge market because it's 5th gen stealth at LCA prices, a mega deal for smaller countries

Typhoon also got Italy, Spain, Saudi and UAE in addition to UK. UK will confirm integrate those upgrades mentioned (except CFT, not sure about those). Once those are in, they will be undisputed champ of the skies (other than F22).

IMO F16 able to be one of effective plane because it have a lot of user and all those feed info and help it improve. Gripen it will take time and need a lot of user. maybe if it win India IAF requirement it will be the next F16 in future.

UK and saudi will confirm upgrade but other will see if German get F35 and if its a better deal,who know man... 

once all those EU(surely UK) country got F35, most of them will integrate it with typhoon networking thus making it more deadlier as F35 stealth will find the target and link it to the typhoon to be eliminated. but the US will surely use their F15 in those situation. and new F15 upgrade able to carry more bomb and missile 

not cancelled 

F-16 was successful because the US decided to upgrade it a lot rather than invest in new airframes. So it became capable of far more missions than it used to.

It doesn't matter if the Germans don't upgrade the Typhoon, UK and Sauds will. The UK F35s will operate alongside the Typhoon.

This is a very fair criticism of the F-15X worth reading: https://nationalinterest.org/blog/buzz/f-15...aste-time-28492

not cancelled 

UK and Saudi will upgrade it. they are the big sponsor of typhoon.

thanks for that articles. its a good analysis. but the shocker is the price of F15X is somewhat affordable as quote in articles between $50 to $75 million.
why would LIMA cancel??did someone suggest that 

Legacy airframe is legacy, without stealth features it's just a missile and bomb truck

It's like comparing two AK-47s and one M16 with ACOG scope and silencer. One side can throw more bullets, the other has different advantages. Who will win? Maybe more bullets, but also maybe the scope will make the M16 more accurate and deadly

Not sure what's the use of LIMA since we are the most unlikely country to buy stuff in ASEAN

i thought it was design like that??F35 with full stealth but lack offensive capabilities complement with other asset(F15/F18) with lack stealth but full offensive capabilities.

although the F35 was suppose to be the replacement for other legacy(F16,F15,F18) it seem it only be F22 replacement.some also suggest having same plane to cover all mission will be cost effective but not strategic wise since most design have it flaw. so better to have 2 or 3 design to be safe. of course it only can be done with super power only not ciput budget nation.

Defence Ministry cancels Maritime Patrol Aircraft project

Neily Syafiqah Eusoff / theedgemarkets.com
August 13, 2018 16:12 pm

KUALA LUMPUR (Aug 13): The Defence Ministry said it has scrapped the Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA) project, in line with the Malaysian government's decision to re-evaluate the implementation of the mega project.

"However, the project can be considered in the next rolling plan, if it is still in the priority of the ministry," the ministry said today in Parliament via a written reply dated Aug 7, 2018 to Mersing MP Datuk Dr Abd Latiff Ahmad.

Abd Latiff had earlier asked the ministry on whether the government will proceed with the procurement of large defence assets such as the MPA, Littoral Mission Ship (LMS) and Littoral Combat Ship (LCS). 

The ministry, however, said there is a need to continue the procurement of the LMS and LCS, in line with national defence operational needs.

The procured LMS and LCS are under construction as scheduled, the ministry said.

Turkey, Indonesia support UAV collaboration

Jon Grevatt, Bangkok - IHS Jane's Defence Industry
15 August 2018


Turkish Aircraft Industries (TAI) is engaging with Indonesian industry in support of a potential programme to supply its Anka UAV to the Indonesian armed forces. Source: TAI

Turkish Aircraft Industries (TAI) has expanded its engagement with Indonesian aerospace and defence companies in a bid to support collaboration on programmes including a medium-altitude long-endurance (MALE) unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) project.

TAI said in a statement that it held a workshop in Jakarta on 14 August with local aerospace and defence companies “regarding possible co-operation on several upcoming bilateral opportunities such as a UAV tender for the Indonesian Ministry of Defence”.

TAI confirmed that in bidding for the UAV programme it is offering its MALE Anka UAV. TAI added that it is “ready to fine-tune” the Anka system “to satisfy the requirements of the Indonesian end-user through integrating … Indonesian suppliers into its supply chain”.

However, TAI also said that collaboration opportunities will not be limited to the Anka. “It will be a sustainable, long-term, win-win relationship,” it said, “in which all parties will find opportunities to advance their business goals in local and global markets in the medium [term].”

Earlier this year, Arie Wibowo, director of production at state-owned Indonesian aerospace company, PT Dirgantara (PTDI), told Jane’s that PTDI and TAI were close to formalising an agreement to collaborate on developing the Anka UAV to meet the requirements of the Indonesian Air Force (Tentara Nasional Indonesia – Angkatan Udara: TNI-AU).

Wibowo said the project would facilitate technology transfers from Turkey to Indonesia to support joint development and localised manufacturing. He added that once the terms of the collaborative partnership had been established PTDI and TAI would build fully operational prototypes within 12 months.

Wibowo added that when the programme enters mass production other Indonesian aerospace companies would enter the supply chain, although the scope of such engagement would depend on the how many Anka systems the TNI-AU required.

Singapore joins ranks of A330 MRTT operators

15 August, 2018 SOURCE: FlightGlobal.com BY: Greg Waldron Singapore

The Singapore air force’s first Airbus A330 Multi-Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) has arrived in the country.

Images posted on social media show the aircraft landing at Changi International Airport, adjacent to the Changi West air base where the nation's Boeing KC-135R tankers are stationed.

Flight tracking sites indicate that the aircraft (S/N 1762) flew direct to Singapore from Madrid’s Getafe air base.

Neither the nation’s defence ministry nor the air force announced the tanker’s arrival. The aircraft’s livery, however, recognises the 50-year history of the Republic of Singapore Air Force, with ‘RSAF 50’ on the tail, and ‘Our Home, Above All’ on the engine cowling.

Flight Fleets Analyzer indicates that the jet is powered by two Rolls-Royce Trent 772B-60EP powerplants, and that its first flight was on 10 November 2016.

In addition to a hose-and-drogue refuelling pod on both wings, the aircraft is also equipped with a refuelling boom. The aircraft has 260 passenger seats, and can be used to carry cargo pallets.

Singapore has five additional A330 MRTT’s on order. These will replace the nation’s four obsolescent Boeing KC-135Rs, which have an average age of 55.9 years.