F-35

Danskene har oppdaget at prosjektet har økende kostnader. Det har ikke Norge.

Denmark Pursues Alternatives to F-35

AIN DEFENSE PERSPECTIVE » MARCH 22, 2013

by  DAVID DONALD

Denmark is looking to replace its fleet of F-16s. Four of them are seen here from a USAF KC-135 during the air campaign over Libya in 2011. (Photo: U.S. Air Force)

March 22, 2013, 1:40 PM

Faced with growing costs in the Lockheed Martin F-35 program, Denmark is reviewing its options for a new fighter and has invited Boeing (F/A-18 Super Hornet), Eurofighter (Typhoon) and Saab (Gripen E) to submit information for alternatives. A decision is due in 2015. Dassault (Rafale) may have been approached, but at the time of writing appeared unlikely to respond. The company has a history of not bidding on programs that it calculates have little chance of success.

Denmark’s participation in the F-35 industrial program as a Level 3 partner was based on plans to procure 48 F-35As to replace its F-16 fleet one-for-one. Being a partner, however, does not oblige any country to purchase F-35s. Given its dwindling defense budget and escalating F-35 costs, Denmark might not be able to afford even half of the planned total.