Denmark's Fighter Solution?

[Holger Danske]

Time has come for the Air Force to replace the ageing fleet of 48 operational F-16 fighters, but the question is; Which fighter shall replace the F-16 as the Royal Danish Air Foce's next generation multirole fighter?
Next year the Danish government will decide on the successor, and so far it is hard to tell which it will be!

*Note: The Government will purchase 48 units, irregardless of the price!

Former contenders
Eurofighter Typhoon
Dassault Rafale

Current
JAS 39 Gripen NG
F-35 Lightning II (JSF)
F/A-18E/F Super Hornet

All of the fighters are excellent machines, even though some of them are of a rather "old" design, but the avionics and mission capabilities will be up to modern standards. But viewed from a longer term perspective, which fighter is the better solution for a country, like Denmark?

My personal favorite is the Swedish built Gripen as it is capable of preforming all the current task our upgraded F-16s, and more.
The advantage with selecting the Gripen is that it's a fully operation fighter which unit price has been fixed, unlike the JSF. The Gripen is also a much more mutually beneficial deal than the JSF, and maintainance will be a lot easier for the Danish Air Force.
http://www.gripen.com/en/MediaRelati...ortunities.htm

[Stuntdawg5]

Sorry, I'm American, so I might be a bit biased. But I absolutely love the F-35. It just looks so nice that I can't resist. But then again, like I said, I'm biased XD.

Since I don't really know the true capabilities of these fighters, I can't really pick any of them. Though I've heard they all kick butt.

[Gary88]

i agree the grippen is a good choice, why not the eurofighter anymore?

[Freddie]

i agree the grippen is a good choice, why not the eurofighter anymore?

A plane born out of the Cold War, when the USSR collapsed the Euro Fighter is now somewhat irrelevant. The whole project was massively over budget and it's still plagued with problems.

[Gaius Flavius Belisarius]

I honestly feel that given Denmark's situation going with the Super Hornet would be the most practical solution. Ideally I would say the F-35 would be the best replacement due how effective it will be once all the teething problems are worked out of it. However, since the Danes aren't necessarily a global power that absolutely must have the newest generation of aircraft, I say the FA-18E. It has a good balance of ground attack and dogfighting capabilities, isn't overtly expensive, and as stated previously would have the added bonus of sharing the fighter with other NATO members, so that in the event of an emergency parts would be less scarce. Additionally, the Super Hornet has a proven track record, and is generally considered pretty reliable.

[Mythos]

A plane born out of the Cold War, when the USSR collapsed the Euro Fighter is now somewhat irrelevant. The whole project was massively over budget and it's still plagued with problems.

A plane born out of the Cold War, when the USSR collapsed the F-22 is now somewhat irrelevant. The whole project was massively over budget and it's still plagued with problems.

Wait, what?

The EF is in service with 4 pleased services right now. It's development is going rather well. So, what problems are still plaguing it?

You have more important things to worry about like... healthcare or education or whatever else useless..

Now, now, don't be jealous because some nation has healthcare, insurance, happy citizens AND a decent military.

[Sosobra]

I say go with the superhornet a proven and cheap airframe.

[Thanatos]

What about the SU-37?

[Heinz Guderian]

Eurofighter with RAF training. The F 35 will be the inferior export version (to the US version i mean not the Eurofighter before you tea-dumping psychos get in my ass). The former is cheaper and parts on demand. As well as offering an excellent future-proof update possibilty. Its all about avionics and training.

[christof139]

Eurofighter with RAF training. The F 35 will be the inferior export version (to the US version i mean not the Eurofighter before you tea-dumping psychos get in my ass). The former is cheaper and parts on demand. As well as offering an excellent future-proof update possibilty. Its all about avionics and training.

"Tea-dumping psychos", that is funny. I like it.

Crumpets for two? Other pastry type thingies are also OK; Coffee and dounuts or doughnuts??

Chris

[Farnan]

I like the F-35 but I think the F-18 is the best for the Danes. Battle proven combat platform and affordable.

[Thanatos]

NO! SU-37!

[Sosobra]

NO! SU-37!

I think the danes want to stay with NATO made equipment and what makes the SU-37 so desirable.

[Thanatos]

I think the danes want to stay with NATO made equipment and what makes the SU-37 so desirable.

I know, I know, I just like the plane, that's all.

[Gary88]

i honestly think the advantages of the grippen outweigh the combat provenness (its a word!) of the f18

[Farnan]

Also the F-18 is good due to the fact that the Danes are members of NATO and fighting beside the US in Afghanistan, thus we may be able to supply spare parts easier than the Swedes.

[Holger Danske]

Also the F-18 is good due to the fact that the Danes are members of NATO and fighting beside the US in Afghanistan, thus we may be able to supply spare parts easier than the Swedes.

Well, the Swedes have stated that they'll provide the Danes with full support in development and maintenance of the aircraft, and we will not be forced to fly our fighters to the US for repairs, which is the reality if we choose the F-35 (again, lol)

Besides, the Gripen is actually excellent for fighting in places like Afghanistan, due to the fact that it requires a very short runway, and doesn't need a massive air base to be fully supported.
If you can find a decent stretch of road (or just a hard surface) you can easily operate it from there with constcripts maintaining the plane - this seperates it from the rest of the fighters as they need a much larger and more complex infrastructure.
But then again, the F-18 Super Hornet is a cheaper purchase than the Gripen, and thus the Government can spend more money on the Army, which is currently much more active!...

[Gary88]

Also the F-18 is good due to the fact that the Danes are members of NATO and fighting beside the US in Afghanistan, thus we may be able to supply spare parts easier than the Swedes.

to be honest the geographical proximity is more of an issue for parts besides the grippen was designed for the swedish needs which will be very similar to that of the danes.

[Senno]

It's more of an all-weather fighter?

P.S. It's learn, l e a r n,

[Gary88]

well no the swedish fighters were designed for the environment and needs of sweden whilst something like the F18 was designed basically to go on US carriers which isn't a huge deal for the Danes.

also i noticed that days ago but i really can't be bothered to change it.