House of Commons unhappy about JSF plans

Published: Mar 03, 2006
Source: www.publications.parliament.uk



Members of the Select Committee on Defence are worried about setbacks in the Joint Strike Fighter program, possible cuts by the united States, and the UK's 'sovereign capability' to maintain and upgrade the JSF independently.

The committee is worried new aircraft carriers will become operational by 2012, while the first JSF can only be delivered a year or two later.

Another problem is America's reluctance to share technological know-how with the British:
"This needs to be sorted out before further contracts are signed and we expect MoD to set a deadline by which the assurances need to be obtained. If the UK does not receive assurances that it will get all it requires to ensure sovereign capability, we would question whether the UK should continue to participate in the JSF programme."

Part of the Government's response:

22. We note that good progress with the release of information and technological exchange on the JSF programme has been made to date, but concerns remain. MoD has focussed its efforts on the US Administration to ensure that all the information and technology it requires on the JSF programme for the future is obtained in a timely fashion. In our view, dialogue with the US Administration is not sufficient given the key role played by the US Congress. We will support MoD on this issue where we can. We intend to visit Washington in the New Year and plan to raise this issue with the US Administration and with Members of Congress. (Paragraph 113)

Recent meetings between Officials and their US Counterparts have raised to the highest level the UK requirements for sovereign operations and the need for urgent progress. Substantial headway is being made and Industry and Government currently has the access it needs at this stage of the programme. The Department welcomes the Committee's intention to raise this issue with the US Administration and with Members of Congress, but would wish to ensure that such engagement is planned and co-ordinated as part of the Department's overall strategy.

23. We are concerned by press reports suggesting that the US might cut back on the STOVL variant of the JSF as this could have serious implications for the UK JSF programme. While we note the recent assurance given by the US Defense Secretary that the US JSF programme would be 'funded robustly', we expect MoD to keep a close watch on this issue and to assess the likely impact on the UK JSF programme.(Paragraph 120)

The US remains committed to the JSF programme despite public speculation resulting from the US Quadrennial Defense Review and the current round of considerations on the Defense Appropriations - results expected early 2006 - although early indications are positive. There are no indications that the US will cancel the Short Take Off and Vertical Landing (STOVL) variant, despite recent speculation which has been linked to the Carrier Variant (CV) and Conventional Take Off and Landing (CTOL) variant. The Department will continue to monitor the situation extremely closely as we prepare for Production, Support and Follow On Development Memorandum Of Understanding.


The Government's full response to the report's conclusions and recommendations can be read here: Select Committee on Defence Second Reportcontinue..