European JSF partners meet in Holland

Source URL: http://www.mindef.nl/actueel/nieuws/2006/03/20060307_jsf.aspx
Posted at: http://www.air-attack/com/news/news_article/1221

Yesterday, European partners participating in the Joint Strike Fighter program met in The Netherlands, to discuss the cooperation between the countries involved.

At the end of this year the partners have to decide if they want to join in the manufacturing, maintenance and upgrade phases of the JSF program. Denmark, Italy, Holland, Norway and Turkey were all represented. In most countries,acquisition of the fighter has to be approved by the parlaiment still. Norway is expected to make that decision before April 1st, and has reportedly been 'wobbly'.
The Netherlands recently downsized it's initial order from 85 to half of that, and prefered to buy the rest of the fighters in batches.

Two important issues had to be resolved yesterday, to ensure a srong European plan; A common European vision between Europe and the United States on production and support. And agreement by European manufacturers, with a view to technology transfer.

Now, the plan has to be worked out with the United States and it's involved industries. The final plan has to be ready before the summer, after which it can be used for the negotiations about the Memorandum of Understanding of the production of the JSF fighter. The MoU is expected to be signed by all participating countries before the end of this year.

Issued in Dutch only; unofficial translation by Air-Attack.com & Defense-Aerospace.com

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