DefenceTalkThe F-16 has unequivocally proven its worth for the armed forces in intervention and stabilization operations. In the coming decades, we will continue to require fighter aircraft. After comparing the candidates in 2001 and 2008, and updating the relevant information in 2013, the government has decided, on operational, financial and economic grounds, to select the […]https://www.defencetalk.com/netherlands-government-statement-on-f-35-jsf-49107/

DefenceTalkThe Netherlands will go ahead with the purchase of the controversial JSF jet fighter, despite objections, the Telegraaf reports on Tuesday. The decision brings to an end 18 years of political dithering about the wisdom of spending so much money on an aircraft when the defence ministry is struggling to find €1.33bn in cuts, the […]https://www.defencetalk.com/dutch-jsf-jet-fighter-purchase-gets-green-light-after-18-years-49079/

DefenceTalkThe F-35 Flight Test Update in the Volume 28, Number 1 issue of Code One concluded with the first aerial release of an AIM-120 AMRAAM from an F-35B on 26 March 2013. This eleventh installment in the series of flight test updates on the F-35 program covers the AIM-120 launch as well as other achievements […]https://www.defencetalk.com/f-35-flight-test-update-11-48901/

DefenceTalkWith the “final” bidding for Korea’s next-generation fighter program underway, the procurement price of 8.3 trillion won ($7.5 billion) is taking center stage, which puts Boeing’s F-15 Silent Eagle (SE) in the contender position. However, military watchers say that a price-focused selection of 60 F-15 SEs may doom the Korean Air force’s goal of boosting […]https://www.defencetalk.com/f-15se-may-lead-south-korean-fighter-jet-competition-48727/

DefenceTalkThe Lockheed Martin F-35B short takeoff/vertical landing (STOVL) aircraft completed its 500th vertical landing August 3. BF-1, the aircraft which completed this achievement, also accomplished the variant’s first vertical landing in March 2010 at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Md. Next week, Sea Trials, known as Developmental Test 2 (DT-2) are scheduled to begin for […]https://www.defencetalk.com/f-35b-ready-for-sea-trials-48705/

DefenceTalkLeaked documents from a Pentagon budget review suggest that the agency is tired of its costly F-35 fighter jets, and has thoughts about canceling the $391.2 billion program that has already expanded into 10 foreign countries. Pentagon officials held a briefing on Wednesday in which they mapped out ways to manage the $500 billion in […]https://www.defencetalk.com/pentagon-considers-cancelling-f-35-program-48653/

DefenceTalkLockheed Martin’s F-35 faces the distinct possibility of being the first to be eliminated in the ongoing bidding for Korea’s next generation fighter program. The weakest point against the latest U.S. aircraft is that its price may go up significantly because it is still in development. The Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA), the arm of […]https://www.defencetalk.com/south-korea-caps-fighter-aircraft-acquisition-at-7-45-billion-48624/

DefenceTalkLockheed Martin recently delivered the 100thElectro-Optical Targeting System (EOTS) for the F-35 Lightning II. EOTS provides affordable, high performance multifunction targeting to the F-35’s full spectrum of military operations. EOTS is the first sensor that combines forward-looking infrared and infrared search and track functionality to provide F-35 pilots with situational awareness and air-to-air and air-to-surface […]https://www.defencetalk.com/lockheed-martin-delivers-100th-targeting-system-for-f-35-48462/

DefenceTalkA delegation from the Taiwan-US Inter-Parliamentary Amity Association of Taiwan’s Legislature said Wednesday in Washington that Taiwan wants to purchase advanced F-35 fighter jets that best suit its defense needs. Kuomintang (KMT) Legislator and Association Chairman Lin Yu-fang briefed reporters in Washington after the delegation’s meeting at the Pentagon with David Helvey, deputy assistant secretary […]https://www.defencetalk.com/taiwan-makes-pitch-for-purchase-of-f-35-fighter-jets-48416/

DefenceTalkThe first Lockheed Martin F-35C Lightning II Navy carrier variant (CV) aircraft, CF-6, arrived at Strike Fighter Squadron 101 located at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., on Saturday. The jet is the Navy’s first 5th generation F-35 production aircraft. Strike Fighter Squadron 101 will serve as the F-35C Fleet Replacement Squadron, training both pilots and […]https://www.defencetalk.com/first-lockheed-martin-f-35c-reports-to-the-navy-48235/