UK Defense Chief Says F-35 Vital To Counter China Stealth Threat

AK471993

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SYDNEY -(Dow Jones)- U.K. Secretary for Defense Liam Fox emphasized Tuesday the importance of the next generation U.S. F-35 Joint Strike Fighter to counter China's development of its own stealth jet after Britain and Australia agreed to strengthen defense cooperation in Asia during talks in Sydney.

"Clearly if we don't have the equipment others have we would put ourselves at a potential disadvantage that's why we are very committed to the Joint Strike Figther the F-35 because it does have the sort of fifth generation steath technology we are likely to need in the future," Fox told reporters in response to questions following the signing of the strategic pact. "The fact that China has unveiled that particular capability makes it all the more important we invest in the technology we require, which is why in the defence review we reiterated our commitment to that particular project."

The F-35 program survived a recent U.K. government defense review intended to help slash military spending as part of a wider effort to cut its deficit. According to military think tank the Royal United Services Institute, the British government is seeking to cut defense outlays by 11% by 2017 as part of 81 billion pounds (US$129 billion ) of savings in public spending over four years. As part of these cuts, the UK is taking out of service its ageing fleet of Harrier jump jets and seeking to sell other unwanted equipment, or delay new procurement programs.

Public images of China's J-20 fighter have spooked Western defence analysts and show that Beijing has made significant progress in developing its own "fifth generation" stealth aircraft that combines a radar eluding design with top fighter performance and avionics. China's growing military power and Beijing's involvement in regional issues including territorial disputes with Japan and Vietnam poses a challenge for the U.S. and its allies in the region.

In a joint statement on Tuesday, with the Australian and U.K. delegations led respectively by Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd and his British counterpart William Hague agreed to share "strategic high-level documents" and maintain dialogue on key strategic issues including the need to "react quickly and effectively when threats to our national interests arise."

Canberra has become increasingly concerned by China's increase in military expenditure and is pressing for greater transparency on defense spending across the region, with Rudd using a recent visit to China to press for more openness in response to Beijing's military buildup. Australia's defense department estimates that China spent more than US$150 billion in 2009 on its military, more than double the official Chinese figure.

"Australia and the U.K. are committed to seeking a constructive and cooperative relationship with China on regional economic development and common security concerns, as well as on addressing global challenges," according to the joint-statement.

Australia is boosting defense spending as it seeks to counterbalance China's power in the region. Canberra plans to spend more than US$50 billion over the next 20 years on projects that include purchasing air warfare destroyers, submarines, frigates and the F-35 aircraft.

http://www.automatedtrader.net/real-time-dow-jones/41176/uk-defense-chief-says-f_35-vital-to-counter-china-stealth-threat
 

A.V.

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Oh !!! thats another statement now considering that they are cutting down on the eurofighter , very little results from such statements , the common man around the world have become too smart these days
 

Kunal Biswas

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Gr8news, sometime back they were pushing Japanese to abandoned their 5th gen project and buy F-35..

Now European top leaders looking to ditch their own creation..

US is desperate..
 

neo29

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With F-22 production closed down US has no other option other than f-35. Unfortunately F-35 project is running into higher costs. I am surprised that most countries do still favor US to provide them with F-35 knowing its getting expensive as time goes.

Some say Pak Fa is reasonbly priced but then you never know how much the cost might escalate in the long run. I wonder how much the J-20 cost might be. Surely it will be as cheap as its other fighters. You can expect the quality to be the same as the price. Already speculations are all over the net that j-20 is not as stealthy as a 5th gen fighter should be. Some analyst even claim its a 4.5th gen fighter.

US, UK and Japan need to keep their fingers crossed till they get the F-35. But if Japan not pursuing its own 5th gen fighter program then they doing a huge blunder.
 

AK471993

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Speculations and Speculations all over the net. Some say its inferior and has bad stealth technology. Others say its more of bomber than fighter, 4th gen fighter, etc etc... . What can we believe ???? Hence keep fingers crossed.
Well yes,but if you ask me,then J-20 will be a technology demonstrator
like Mig 1.44,Su-47,YF-23 etc.

But China is working on WS-15 engine,sources says it will have more thrust than of F-22's engine F-119..
 

captonjohn

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Speculations and Speculations all over the net. Some say its inferior and has bad stealth technology. Others say its more of bomber than fighter, 4th gen fighter, etc etc... . What can we believe ???? Hence keep fingers crossed.
Definitely a lot of speculations are there but we can get some ideas from J-20's design. J-20 is much larger and heavier than F-35 and PAK-FA hence I doubt that it would play effective role as a fighter. I think J-20 is for bomber purpose having some stealth technology to achieve an ability to hit enemy cost with minimum enemy detection but again its size is a huge problem.
 

AK471993

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Definitely a lot of speculations are there but we can get some ideas from J-20's design. J-20 is much larger and heavier than F-35 and PAK-FA hence I doubt that it would play effective role as a fighter. I think J-20 is for bomber purpose having some stealth technology to achieve an ability to hit enemy cost with minimum enemy detection but again its size is a huge problem.
May be J-20 is designed to be a Fighter which can carry heavy payload.J-20 is by CAC.SAC have a different stealth fighter project,as confirmed by PLAAF chief in 2009.
I think it will be a F-35 or F-15 Silent Eagle class fighter

World is jumping too much into this J-20 thing

Indonesia & South Korea is working on KAI KFX stealth fighter.Japan is also working on Mitsubishi ATD-X Shin Shin stealth fighter.

Not to mention the possible sale of F-35's to Japan,South Korea and Taiwan.

So possibly,China will be surrounded with stealth fighters
IMO there is no surprise that China developed a stealth fighter for their self defense.Its normal for every country.
 

chex3009

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May be J-20 is designed to be a Fighter which can carry heavy payload.J-20 is by CAC.SAC have a different stealth fighter project,as confirmed by PLAAF chief in 2009.
I think it will be a F-35 or F-15 Silent Eagle class fighter

World is jumping too much into this J-20 thing

Indonesia & South Korea is working on KAI KFX stealth fighter.Japan is also working on Mitsubishi ATD-X Shin Shin stealth fighter.

Not to mention the possible sale of F-35's to Japan,South Korea and Taiwan.

So possibly,China will be surrounded with stealth fighters
IMO there is no surprise that China developed a stealth fighter for their self defense.Its normal for every country.
By not speculating about the qualities of J-20, but IMO the Chinese would be more worried than any one else in the region due to the simple case of them being surrounded by quality 5G Fighters, the PAK-FA, the Indian PMF FGFA, Possible Japanese F-35 and their own version Mitsubishi ATD-X Shin Shin in collabaration with the Indonesians, Even south korea and taiwan would be getting their hands on 5G bird around the same time as the Chinese would be getting their bird inducted, so all the noise surrounding J-20 is not understood at all.

The Chinese have more to worry than any one else regarding 5G bird.
 

AK471993

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By not speculating about the qualities of J-20, but IMO the Chinese would be more worried than any one else in the region due to the simple case of them being surrounded by quality 5G Fighters, the PAK-FA, the Indian PMF FGFA, Possible Japanese F-35 and their own version Mitsubishi ATD-X Shin Shin in collabaration with the Indonesians, Even south korea and taiwan would be getting their hands on 5G bird around the same time as the Chinese would be getting their bird inducted, so all the noise surrounding J-20 is not understood at all.

The Chinese have more to worry than any one else regarding 5G bird.

Mitsubishi ATD-X is indigenous fighter of Japan.But South Korean KAI KF-X is a JV with Indonesia.They seeking cooperation from Indonesian Aerospace, Turkish Aerospace Industries, Saab, Boeing, and Lockheed Martin to develop the KF-X.

And India will have FGFA and AMCA.

Matter of fact yes,China will be surrounded by Stealth fighters.
 

gogbot

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Mitsubishi ATD-X is indigenous fighter of Japan.But South Korean KAI KF-X is a JV with Indonesia.They seeking cooperation from Indonesian Aerospace, Turkish Aerospace Industries, Saab, Boeing, and Lockheed Martin to develop the KF-X.

And India will have FGFA and AMCA.

Matter of fact yes,China will be surrounded by Stealth fighters.
Well so are we and everyone else.
 

gogbot

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Mitsubishi ATD-X is indigenous fighter of Japan.But South Korean KAI KF-X is a JV with Indonesia.They seeking cooperation from Indonesian Aerospace, Turkish Aerospace Industries, Saab, Boeing, and Lockheed Martin to develop the KF-X.

And India will have FGFA and AMCA.

Matter of fact yes,China will be surrounded by Stealth fighters.
Well so are we and everyone else.
 
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Where will UK find the money for countering this threat?? USA is in dire straits and UK is cutting their defense spending.Chinese timing was perfect releasing this plane during economic turmoil in the West.
 

Armand2REP

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May be J-20 is designed to be a Fighter which can carry heavy payload.J-20 is by CAC.SAC have a different stealth fighter project,as confirmed by PLAAF chief in 2009.
I think it will be a F-35 or F-15 Silent Eagle class fighter
You just said you expect it to be a tech demonstrator. That means it will never get produced.
 

badguy2000

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IMO, F35 can hardly have chance to beat J20.

Even before J20 was unveiled ,Chinese defence experts openly mocked on one CCTV interview that" F35 is a white elephant".

the only choice left for Yankees is to restart the assembling-line of F22,if they want to keep their air superiorty after 2020..

And many CHinese expert openly said recently in CCTV intervews that "Hardly can many toys of F22 be upgraded because the design of F22 internal structure got frozen too early"
 
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Armand2REP

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Where will UK find the money for countering this threat?? USA is in dire straits and UK is cutting their defense spending.Chinese timing was perfect releasing this plane during economic turmoil in the West.
UK will never be in a position to think about it. Why they would bother commenting on China is beyond me.
 

nrj

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Its a sensible move on UK's part to align with F35 bandwagon & start promoting F35 as a promising tool for future threats. F35 program is reaching completion as every day we speak.

EU has already got Neuron program to field post 5th Gen technologies & efficiently guard European continent.

Tactical advantage to be provided by F35 to the West & rational part of East can not be underestimated.


IMO, F35 can hardly have chance to beat J20.

the only choice left for Yankees is to restart the assembling-line of F22,if they want to keep their air superiorty after 2020..
No they are already part of history.
 

bhogta

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IMO, F35 can hardly have chance to beat J20.

Even before J20 was unveiled ,Chinese defence experts openly mocked on one CCTV interview that" F35 is a white elephant".

the only choice left for Yankees is to restart the assembling-line of F22,if they want to keep their air superiorty after 2020..

And many CHinese expert openly said recently in CCTV intervews that "Hardly can many toys of F22 be upgraded because the design of F22 internal structure got frozen too early"
You are really funny. You want to compare a aircraft which don't have still weapon bay and other thing. Every body know about your engine and radar capability. Please compare with some fact at lest if possible or give respect other people work.
 

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