Minister noncommittal on JSF

Friday, April 24, 2009

Minister for defence equipment and support Quentin Davies has refused to commit to the full purchase of the Joint Strike Fighters (JSF) and hinted that the life of the Harrier aircraft may have to be extended beyond 2018.

Speaking to Defencemanagement.com at a Harrier maintenance contract announcement at RAF Cottesmore, Davies refused to commit to the purchase of 150 JSFs.

"We haven't made any precise commitments on a number or not," Davies said.

His comment came as speculation is growing that the MoD may not be able to afford the full order of 150 aircraft. One defence economist told Defencemanagement.com recently that only half the order would be fulfilled at most.

The bleak budget figures released this week which project a £2bn loss in funding for the MoD next year may also play a part in any final JSF decision. Already it has been reported that tranche three of the Eurofighters is dead because the Treasury will not commit to the £1.44bn price tag. The JSFs, which will cost £2bn at least, could also be scrapped due to the need to cut public spending.

During his press conference to announce the deal, Davies hinted that if necessary, the Harrier force could be extended beyond 2018.

Addressing the JSF, he said "Things can go wrong." But he denied that huge delays and cost overruns which have dogged the US's procurement of the aircraft, will carryover into the UK.

Any decision to cancel the JSF or reduce its numbers will have to be made soon due to the affect it would have on the Harrier force. One Harrier commander told Defencemanagement.com that the force would begin going out of service around 2015 to prepare for the 2018 introduction of the JSF. Any decision to cancel or reduce the JSF would require advanced notice so that the Joint Harrier Force could adapt. Industry would also need to know well in advance in order to begin preparing upgrades and maintenance to extend the Harriers for a number of years.