A little C-17 or eventually If I dare Y-20
capacity similar to A-400M 36 tons max vs 37 planned 30+ yet 11 ordered whose 5 delivered.
capacity similar to A-400M 36 tons max vs 37 planned 30+ yet 11 ordered whose 5 delivered.
GREAT aircraft and very capable. I hope Japan can gt a few countries to buy into it.
Right now, the US P-8 is getting numerous orders. The US (of course), India, Australia, the UK, and the latest is Norway which signed a contract for five or six P-8A Poseidons on 29 March 2017 with deliveries from 2022 to 2023.
But there are many other countries looking to replace their P-3s and I hope Japan snags a few of those. The P-1 would be a very worthwhile asset...if Japan can get the price right.
Skywatcher
Captain
More likely that Kyle Mizokami is right; it's a tech sharing agreement, since the Japanese proposal is far too big for the UK's needs.
And any sixth generation fighter program of Britain's will definitely have an American main partner.
Actually looks a lot like a larger "Advanced Raptor", which we should definitely build with the Japanese since Mitsubishi and LockMart already have a partnership on F-35
I would build it enough larger that the F-22 to carry more internal fuel and larger deep strike weapons, power it with very efficient clean nozzle F-135s so that it would supercruise if needed.
I would fund it by deep sixing the sucky little B-21
SamuraiBlue
Captain
Well it should since it is going to be a replacement for the F-15J air superiority fighter.
The difference would be accompanying drones which will create a swarm formation.
Blackstone
Brigadier
Few countries would buy major Japanese military hardware if it means allying with Japan against China. I suspect that's the primary reason Australia passed on the excellent Soryu-class submarines.
It may have figured into the decision.
But Australia will do what it needs to do to ensure that it is ready to defend itself against any potential threat, including China.
Over the next couple of decades we will see if Australia buys anything from Japan, or teams with tem. The fact that they seriously consideed it tells me that they will if the price and the conditions of the deal are right.
I believe those two things were probably more influential on them deciding to go with DCNS. But that's just my opinion.
SamuraiBlue
Captain
Doubt it. Here is a chart of the top items Australia exports to mainland China.
Basically they are mostly natural resources that are difficult to substitute from other sources from a cost perspective.Bottom line PRC relies more on Australia then Australia relies PRC.
antiterror13
Brigadier
Doubt it. Here is a chart of the top items Australia exports to mainland China.
Basically they are mostly natural resources that are difficult to substitute from other sources from a cost perspective.Bottom line PRC relies more on Australia then Australia relies PRC.
huhhh ... where did you learn that logic, from what textbooks ?