My news feed has been filled with stories related to the sale of aircraft. I want to link to those articles with a bit of my own commentary about how these sales fit in with my own theories and ideas about arms sales.
Nigeria and the Super Tucano
This is an interesting case of a Brazilian plane being manufactured in the US for Afghanistan and Lebanon. Nigeria wants to buy these anti-insurgency aircraft to fight against Boko Haram, but the US needs to approve the sale since the manufacturing takes place on US territory. This is the first example of this type of arrangement that I have run across, and it simnply fascinates me. The web of interconnected production facilities makes arms sales and production as well as their sales multi-national. I wonder about the ability of states like the US to act as veto players for such sales. What is the trade-off or point at which Brazil would move manufacturing to its own territory in order to avoid any such complications in the future?
Canada and the F-35 Rejection
Canada is no longer on board with the F-35. As one of the initial partners, this is an interesting case. It is also interesting whether Trudeau will be in power long enough to find an alternative to the Canadian Air Force's aging fleet. The F-18 Superhornet, the Eurofighter Typhoon, the Rafale and Grippen are the alternatives that Canada is currently considering.
"For 10 years, the Conservatives completely missed the mark when it came time to deliver to Canadians and our military the equipment they need," the Liberal prime minister said in parliament.
"They clung to a plane that does not work and is far from working."
The biggest issue with Canada dropping out is the political fallout.
Pakistan and the F-16 End Run
This piece illustrates the difficulty of using arms as a carrot or stick in foreign policy. If the US refuses to sell F-16s to Pakistan, it will seek to buy used aircraft from Jordon. In this case, the initial sales decision by the US must be considered even more carfully if there is a question about resale potential. This is a realistic possibility because many countries fly the F-16 and so it should be possible to find spare parts from willing suppliers. Pakistan is shopping because of Congressional demands that it stop harboring Islamic militants.
China, Russia, and the US and Next Generation Bombers
Bomber aircraft are the most strategic of the aircraft. They have previously been built primarily by the US and Russia. China is now in on the game. Russia, the US, and China all expect to have these new bombers as part of their arsenal by 2025. The 9-year time frame from now shows the complication of developing and manufacturing these aircraft. In the US case, the arms acquisition bureacuracy is such that projects tend to drag longer and longer with each new generation of aircraft.
F-35 can't compete?
Adding to the woes of the F35 is the analysis that it cannot compete with older Soviet/Russian models of aircraft, specifically the MIG-29 Fulcrum and SU-27 Flanker. The F35 is the Pentagon's most expensive arms acquisition ever and it has been mired in delays, scandals, and bureaucratic infighting from its inception.
Turkey and Attack Helicopters
Turkey is still trying to obtain an attack helicopter. The most interesting part of this article (which is about Turkey shortlisting potential companies from which to purchas) is the discussion about human rights and the problems of competing in arms sales when such restrictions are not universally applied:
Franco-German company Eurocopter's position was made more difficult as Berlin initially banned it from participating because of concerns over human rights in Turkey, although the German Government relented.
Philippe Camus, co-chief executive of European Aeronautic, Defense and Space, says the Turkish decision against Eurocopter will push the issue of common export policy to the top of the agenda and that Europe's capitals must work together to create a single coherent policy.
Apache for Qatar
It seems as if these are part of the payment for Qatar's role as broker in getting Bergdahl from the Taliban. It seems like a steep price to pay. If Qatar will be an ally in other areas, then this might be okay. It seems hypocritical considering Qater's human rights record vs. that of Turkey that advanced attack aircraft were easily obtained by that government.
Nigeria and the Super Tucano
This is an interesting case of a Brazilian plane being manufactured in the US for Afghanistan and Lebanon. Nigeria wants to buy these anti-insurgency aircraft to fight against Boko Haram, but the US needs to approve the sale since the manufacturing takes place on US territory. This is the first example of this type of arrangement that I have run across, and it simnply fascinates me. The web of interconnected production facilities makes arms sales and production as well as their sales multi-national. I wonder about the ability of states like the US to act as veto players for such sales. What is the trade-off or point at which Brazil would move manufacturing to its own territory in order to avoid any such complications in the future?
Canada and the F-35 Rejection
Canada is no longer on board with the F-35. As one of the initial partners, this is an interesting case. It is also interesting whether Trudeau will be in power long enough to find an alternative to the Canadian Air Force's aging fleet. The F-18 Superhornet, the Eurofighter Typhoon, the Rafale and Grippen are the alternatives that Canada is currently considering.
"For 10 years, the Conservatives completely missed the mark when it came time to deliver to Canadians and our military the equipment they need," the Liberal prime minister said in parliament.
"They clung to a plane that does not work and is far from working."
The biggest issue with Canada dropping out is the political fallout.
Pakistan and the F-16 End Run
This piece illustrates the difficulty of using arms as a carrot or stick in foreign policy. If the US refuses to sell F-16s to Pakistan, it will seek to buy used aircraft from Jordon. In this case, the initial sales decision by the US must be considered even more carfully if there is a question about resale potential. This is a realistic possibility because many countries fly the F-16 and so it should be possible to find spare parts from willing suppliers. Pakistan is shopping because of Congressional demands that it stop harboring Islamic militants.
China, Russia, and the US and Next Generation Bombers
Bomber aircraft are the most strategic of the aircraft. They have previously been built primarily by the US and Russia. China is now in on the game. Russia, the US, and China all expect to have these new bombers as part of their arsenal by 2025. The 9-year time frame from now shows the complication of developing and manufacturing these aircraft. In the US case, the arms acquisition bureacuracy is such that projects tend to drag longer and longer with each new generation of aircraft.
F-35 can't compete?
Adding to the woes of the F35 is the analysis that it cannot compete with older Soviet/Russian models of aircraft, specifically the MIG-29 Fulcrum and SU-27 Flanker. The F35 is the Pentagon's most expensive arms acquisition ever and it has been mired in delays, scandals, and bureaucratic infighting from its inception.
Turkey and Attack Helicopters
Turkey is still trying to obtain an attack helicopter. The most interesting part of this article (which is about Turkey shortlisting potential companies from which to purchas) is the discussion about human rights and the problems of competing in arms sales when such restrictions are not universally applied:
Franco-German company Eurocopter's position was made more difficult as Berlin initially banned it from participating because of concerns over human rights in Turkey, although the German Government relented.
Philippe Camus, co-chief executive of European Aeronautic, Defense and Space, says the Turkish decision against Eurocopter will push the issue of common export policy to the top of the agenda and that Europe's capitals must work together to create a single coherent policy.
Apache for Qatar
It seems as if these are part of the payment for Qatar's role as broker in getting Bergdahl from the Taliban. It seems like a steep price to pay. If Qatar will be an ally in other areas, then this might be okay. It seems hypocritical considering Qater's human rights record vs. that of Turkey that advanced attack aircraft were easily obtained by that government.
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