Investigating Advanced Tactical Fighter Options

Contents

Since the beginning of the full-scale war in Ukraine in February 2022, several European countries, including Czechia, Germany and Switzerland, spurred on by the possibility of closer integration and security ties with the US, have signed contracts for the F-35A. While Denmark increased its order by 17 to 43. That means there will be 19 foreign operators: Australia, Belgium, Canada, Czechia, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Greece, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Israel, Japan, Poland, Romania, Singapore, South Korea, Switzerland and the UK. Only five of these air forces are not part of NATO, but Israel, Japan, Singapore, South Korea are very close allies of the US.

Of the above; the US, Australia, Germany, Greece, Italy, Israel, Japan, Poland, Singapore, South Korea and the UK will operate the F-35s alongside another type that we generally call Generation 4/4.5 fighters. Most of these air forces will integrate their existing fleets of fighters with the cutting edge-F-35s. This will make operations a lot cheaper, so it’s imperative they have common systems that can communicate to each other. Exercises take place worldwide, practising this because should the unthinkable happen and war break out with the likes of China and Russia, both NATO and Asian allies will be counted on to support their US partner.

During these operations, F-35s will generally fly deep into enemy territory using their multiple sensors, and switch roles seamlessly. Data-linking this back to joint headquarters, or the CAOC (Combined Air Operations Centre) or to Generation 4/4.5 fighters such as the Eurofighter, F-16, F/A-18 Super Hornet, Rafale, Gripen is important.

While many US allies have procured F-35s, that has not been the case in the Middle East, much to the frustration of Saudi Arabia and the UAE. Strict US laws ensure Israel maintains a Qualitative Military Edge (QME) over any regional state. Should all the Middle Eastern nations sign up to the Abraham Accords, as the US might wish, initiated in 2020 to normalise diplomatic, economic and security relations between Israel and Muslim-majority nations, then the F-35 could very well end up operating in the Middle East.

Other major obstacles for potential F-35 purchasers are US concerns over the compromising of cutting-edge technology, the risk of foreign adversaries (such as China and Russia) gaining access to the aircraft’s data, and restrictive end-use monitoring.

Capital costs, operational costs, ITAR (International Traffic in Arms Regulations) and political differences can also stop countries from selecting the F-35. Türkiye has been expelled from the programme, because of their purchase of Russian-made S-400 Triumf (NATO reporting name: SA-21 Growler) surface-to-air missile system. It was argued, justifiably by the US, that the F-35 working with a highly advanced Russian SAM system within NATO would compromise some of its secrets, with the likes of Russia.  

Back to top ↑