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Joint Strike Fighter |
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(Source: UK Ministry of Defence; issued Jan. 26, 2012)
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The Times reports today that the MOD is questioning whether it should go ahead with plans to procure a fleet of new Joint Strike Fighter jets due to speculated delays in the programme. The paper also wrongly claims that the MOD declined to comment, when, in fact, the reporter was sent a statement on the issue and verbally briefed on inaccuracies in the story.
The MOD is taking delivery of our first Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) jets for test and evaluation purposes this year and is committed to purchasing the Carrier Variant of the JSF. Our plans remain on track to have a new Carrier Strike capability from around 2020.
The Defence Secretary recently met his US counterpart to discuss a number of issues including the Joint Strike Fighter and following the meeting we are confident that the US Defence Review will not impact upon our plans for regenerating Carrier Strike. An agreement was signed that will see the US and UK work closely on joint training and the integration of our carrier programmes.
Minister for Defence Equipment, Support and Technology Peter Luff said: "We continue to plan on delivery of JCA [Joint Combat Aircraft] capability coherently with the Carrier from 2020 as noted in the SDSR [Strategic Defence and Security Review]. However, we will not set a firm In Service Date until after our next Main Gate decision in 2013."
(EDITOR’S NOTE: Given the respective states of the F-35 and Rafale programs, it would be irresponsible, if not culpably negligent, of the Ministry of Defence not to explore the feasibility of procuring the Rafale M. So, while it is being officially denied for obvious reasons, Admiral Soar’s disputed comment simply reveals a rational approach to meeting military requirements.) (ends)
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U.K. Still Planning for Carrier Strike Planes by 2020, MoD Says (excerpt) |
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(Source: Bloomberg news; published Jan 26, 2012)
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The U.K. is continuing to plan for the delivery of Lockheed Martin Corp.’s (LMT) F-35 Joint Strike Fighter in 2020, defense procurement minister Peter Luff said.
The U.K. is among the partner nations in the jet and still intends to use it on two new aircraft carriers it is building, Luff said.
The Times newspaper reported today that the Royal Navy is considering buying Dassault Aviation SA’s (AM) Rafale M instead because of delays and increased costs, citing a note of a speech by Admiral Trevor Soar, the fleet commander. (end of excerpt)
Click here for the full story, on the Bloomberg website. (ends)
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-01-26/u-k-still-planning-for-carrier-strike-planes-by-2020-mod-says.html
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Trade Body Says Times Article Built On Unsubstantiated Evidence |
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(Source: ADS; issued Jan. 26, 2012)
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ADS today (Thursday) calls into doubt an article published in The Times (MoD turns to France as fears grow over fighter jet choice, 26 January 2012).
The article cites as its source a detailed note of a speech made by Admiral Soar at an ADS event being held under the Chatham House rule. This note however has misled the journalist, wrongly attributing statements to the Admiral and in certain cases alleging, such as with the main premise of the article, a comment which was not made during the course of the Admiral’s speech at the ADS event.
Rees Ward, CEO at ADS, says:
“While it is lamentable that the Chatham House rule of the event where the Admiral spoke was broken, of greater concern is the inaccurate reporting. The Admiral’s comments were wrongly attributed and in certain cases not even raised during the course of his speech or at the event itself as the article alleges.
“Had the journalist sought to contact ADS, we could have verified whether these comments were made, but their lack of contact suggests they have accepted at face value the second hand reporting of what has turned out to be an unreliable source. In doing so they have potentially damaged the reputation of a senior member of our armed forces - certainly they have thrown into question their own personal credibility and ultimately the paper for which they write.”
ADS is the premier trade organisation for all companies operating in the UK Aerospace, Defence, Security and Space sectors. Farnborough International Limited (FIL) which runs the Farnborough International Airshow, is a wholly owned subsidiary. ADS also encompasses the British Aviation Group (BAG).
-ends-
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