Singapore has dropped the Eurofighter combat jet
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Source: ChannelNewsAsia
Time is GMT + 8 hours
Posted: 20 April 2005 2309 hrs
MINDEF has dropped Eurofighter from fighter competition: report
By Hasnita A Majid, Channel NewsAsia
Singapore has dropped the Eurofighter combat jet from consideration as it prepares to announce the winner of an order for fighter aircraft, says Jane's Defence Weekly, a military publication.
Jane's Defence Weekly reported that pricing was one of the issues that derailed the Eurofighter's bid.
The Eurofighter Typhoon was one of the frontrunners to bid for the more than US$1 billion contract.
The report backs up an article earlier this week in a French newspaper that Singapore had dropped the Eurofighter from a short-list of contenders.
Now with the Eurofighter out of the running, Singapore is left with two contenders - the American Boeing F-15 and the French Rafale.
The winner will replace the RSAF's A-4SU Skyhawks and the F-5S/T.
The Defence Ministry has refused to comment on Jane's Defence Weekly's report and has also refused to confirm if the Eurofighter bid has really been dropped. - CNA /ch -
Exerpts from Jane's Defence Weekly (Subscription needed):
*Eurofighter Typhoon takes a nosedive in Singapore
A shock decision by Singapore to drop the Eurofighter Typhoon from a short-list of contenders vying to be the Republic's next-generation fighter has thrown the aircraft's manufacturing consortium, comprising BAE Systems, EADS and Alenia, into disarray. Singapore has not announced a winner in the competition but the process remains officially under way. The Typhoon was one of three competitors chasing the Republic of Singapore Air Force's (RSAF's) Next Fighter Replacement ...
20-Apr-2005 -
Originally posted by nWo:
may the F-15 win...
Source: ChannelNewsAsia
Time is GMT + 8 hours
Posted: 20 April 2005 2309 hrs
[b]MINDEF has dropped Eurofighter from fighter competition: report
By Hasnita A Majid, Channel NewsAsia
Singapore has dropped the Eurofighter combat jet from consideration as it prepares to announce the winner of an order for fighter aircraft, says Jane's Defence Weekly, a military publication.
Jane's Defence Weekly reported that pricing was one of the issues that derailed the Eurofighter's bid.
The Eurofighter Typhoon was one of the frontrunners to bid for the more than US$1 billion contract.
The report backs up an article earlier this week in a French newspaper that Singapore had dropped the Eurofighter from a short-list of contenders.
Now with the Eurofighter out of the running, Singapore is left with two contenders - the American Boeing F-15 and the French Rafale.
The winner will replace the RSAF's A-4SU Skyhawks and the F-5S/T.
The Defence Ministry has refused to comment on Jane's Defence Weekly's report and has also refused to confirm if the Eurofighter bid has really been dropped. - CNA /ch
[/b]
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Singapore has dropped the Eurofighter combat jet from consideration as it prepares to announce the winner of an order for fighter aircraft, says Jane's Defence Weekly, a military publication.
Jane's Defence Weekly reported that pricing was one of the issues that derailed the Eurofighter's bid.
The Eurofighter Typhoon was one of the frontrunners to bid for the more than US$1 billion contract.
The report backs up an article earlier this week in a French newspaper that Singapore had dropped the Eurofighter from a short-list of contenders.
Now with the Eurofighter out of the running, Singapore is left with two contenders - the American Boeing F-15 and the French Rafale.
The winner will replace the RSAF's A-4SU Skyhawks and the F-5S/T.
The Defence Ministry has refused to comment on Jane's Defence Weekly's report and has also refused to confirm if the Eurofighter bid has really been dropped. - CNA /ch --------- Since Mindef havent say yes to the report!! guess there is still some hope
. Touchwood if it doesnt, then bless the french with their rafale. -
hmmm...wth... just my pov but i don think anyone should support the french and the rafale...damned they just in it for the moneyOriginally posted by Orcishwarrior:Singapore has dropped the Eurofighter combat jet from consideration as it prepares to announce the winner of an order for fighter aircraft, says Jane's Defence Weekly, a military publication.
Jane's Defence Weekly reported that pricing was one of the issues that derailed the Eurofighter's bid.
The Eurofighter Typhoon was one of the frontrunners to bid for the more than US$1 billion contract.
The report backs up an article earlier this week in a French newspaper that Singapore had dropped the Eurofighter from a short-list of contenders.
Now with the Eurofighter out of the running, Singapore is left with two contenders - the American Boeing F-15 and the French Rafale.
The winner will replace the RSAF's A-4SU Skyhawks and the F-5S/T.
The Defence Ministry has refused to comment on Jane's Defence Weekly's report and has also refused to confirm if the Eurofighter bid has really been dropped. - CNA /ch --------- Since Mindef havent say yes to the report!! guess there is still some hope. Touchwood if it doesnt, then bless the french with their rafale. -
Gee, I guess Boeing and the other Europeans must be in it cos they love us so much.Originally posted by Lance_han:hmmm...wth... just my pov but i don think anyone should support the french and the rafale...damned they just in it for the money -
it's not tat....Originally posted by Blockhead:Gee, I guess Boeing and the other Europeans must be in it cos they love us so much. aiyah don noe how to put it down.... 
so sori... -
I really think the EF is superior to rafale and F-15....
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may provide a clearer picture here.
Singapore close to finalising fighter decision
Robert Karniol JDW Asia-Pacific Editor
Bangkok
Additional reporting J A C Lewis JDW Correspondent
Paris
and Michael Sirak JDW Staff Reporter
Washington, DC
Singapore is set "within the next few months" to finalise its decision on
the Next Fighter Replacement Programme (NFRP) to replace the A-4SU Skyhawk
attack aircraft, according to sources familiar with the selection process.
The contract is expected to involve 20 platforms valued at about $1 billion.
There has been no delay, but, as is usual with the Singaporeans, they will
not be rushed, the sources told JDW. They are being very thorough in their
technical evaluations, the sources added.
The Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) has shortlisted three aircraft:
the US Boeing F-15T; the French Dassault Rafale; and the four-nation
Eurofighter Typhoon (manufactured by a consortium comprising EADS, BAE
Systems and Alenia). Boeing's F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, Lockheed Martin's F-16
Block 60 and Sukhoi's Su-30MK were eliminated from the running on 10 October
2003.
"The minimum number we'd like to have is eight, but we're looking for 20
aircraft. We've asked the suppliers to provide several options," RSAF chief
Major General Lim Kim Choon told JDW in2004. However, he acknowledged that
second-phase procurement could eventually follow.
"We're replacing the Skyhawks but the [Northrop] F-5s are coming online for
replacement in terms of available airframe hours by about 2015. Together,
we're looking at a [combined] upper-limit requirement of 60-80 aircraft,"
Maj Gen Lim explained, adding that around 2008 the RSAF would need to
consider additional NFRP aircraft or the US-made Joint Strike Fighter now in
development.
Singaporean Ministry of Defence sources previously said the final platform
selection would probably be made in late 2004 or early 2005, but "the exact
timing will depend on the evaluation process". This schedule showed a marked
slow-down from initial proposals, which sought a contract announcement in
late 2003 and first aircraft deliveries during 2006-07.
Under the current process, initial deliveries are expected in 2008-09.
A Dassault Aviation aide said: "For some time now we've been working on the
principle that the decision will be announced this summer."
The official also conceded that Rafale now found itself at a disadvantage in
the competition relative to the F-15 because of a factor beyond its control:
the rise of the Euro against the US dollar.
"Evidently we feel handicapped because the F-15 has a 30 per cent
competitive edge due to a currency swing," said the aide. "Our costs and
sales price are calculated in Euros."
Another industry figure, who asked not to be named, felt both European
contestants in the competition - Rafale and Typhoon - were likely to be
knocked out of the competition by dollar weakness regardless of their
merits.
"If the Euro were still worth $0.85, as it was in 2002, Rafale would be a
shoo-in for the contract," he said. "With the European currency now at
$1.32, the prospects are an awful lot slimmer."
Defeat because of currency considerations would be particularly galling to
Dassault because it believes the Singapore Air Force favours it for the
deal. It would also mean a further setback for Rafale, which has yet to find
a foreign buyer.
Eurofighter officials declined to comment further on Typhoon's prospects or
the extent of the currency exchange handicap.
Skip Bennett, head of F-15 business development at Boeing, told JDW on 17
February: "We still expect some kind of decision or announcement [on the
Singaporean contest] later this spring [or in] early summer ... Right now we
are still working to finalise configurations. There are a lot of options."
Although Boeing is not currently producing any F-15s for the US Air Force
(USAF) (the last two USAF F-15Es were delivered in December 2004, and
although Congress did provide long-lead-time funding in FY05 for two
additional F-15Es, work on them has not started), 40 F-15Ks for South Korea
will be delivered and produced between now and 2008. This, at least, gives a
window of opportunity for a smooth continuation of the F-15 line should
Boeing win the Singaporean contest or the South Koreans decide to make a
follow-on F-15 order. -
i have a sneaky feeling that Spore might purchase 2 out of 3 of the planes on offer, just like our neighbours did. Whatever happens, the F15 should be 1 of them.
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tink very high chance will be f15 cos relations with the US and also due to the currency...
-
Source: FT.com: Financial Times (Subscription Needed)
Singapore delivers blow to Eurofighter
By Peter Spiegel in London
Published: April 20 2005 19:02 | Last updated: April 20 2005 19:02
The four-nation Eurofighter consortium was dealt a heavy blow last week when Singapore's defence ministry told the group it had uncovered problems that could prevent the government buying the jet.
According to people familiar with the decision, Singapore has stopped short of dropping Eurofighter from a three-way competition. But it has raised detailed questions about the ability to fit Singapore's advanced weapons on the jet, a stumbling block that may make it impossible for Eurofighter to win. -
Originally posted by nWo:
Hmm... Weapons...
Source: FT.com: Financial Times (Subscription Needed)
[b]Singapore delivers blow to Eurofighter
By Peter Spiegel in London
Published: April 20 2005 19:02 | Last updated: April 20 2005 19:02
The four-nation Eurofighter consortium was dealt a heavy blow last week when Singapore's defence ministry told the group it had uncovered problems that could prevent the government buying the jet.
According to people familiar with the decision, Singapore has stopped short of dropping Eurofighter from a three-way competition. But it has raised detailed questions about the ability to fit Singapore's advanced weapons on the jet, a stumbling block that may make it impossible for Eurofighter to win.
[/b] -
Source: Guardian Unlimited
Blow for Eurofighter as Singapore dashes Typhoon hopes
David Gow in Brussels
Thursday April 21, 2005
The Guardian
The Eurofighter Typhoon, the controversial combat jet, has been knocked out of the €760m (£518m) competition to provide Singapore with new-generation fighters.
The Typhoon, made by BAE Systems, the European defence group Eads and Italy's Alenia, had hoped to win the Singaporean order to add to its only guaranteed export business - an Austrian order for 18 jets.
The Eurofighter consortium, based near Munich, and BAE was unable to comment yesterday because of confidentiality clauses imposed by Singapore but it is understood that Boeing's F-15 and Dassault's Rafale remain the only two left in the competition.
According to Jane's Defence Weekly, questions of price and capability within the timeframe held the key to grounding Eurofighter's bid. The consortium had flown out two jets last June to try to win the order.
The Typhoon project has been sharply criticised by MPs because of cost and time overruns and by others as an unnecessary relic of the cold war. There are serious doubts whether the full order for 636 planes for Britain, Germany, Italy and Spain will be met.
The UK is taking 55 of the first tranche of 148 jets to be delivered and has agreed to take a further 89 under the contract, signed by ministers last December, for 236 in the second tranche. The third tranche, with Britain taking 88 of the last 236, may never happen. It is also understood that the Eurofighter consortium has increased worries that the Greek government will never fulfil an initial contract for 60 Typhoons, with the option to buy a further 30, because of the country's budgetary crisis.
Last year Greece staged the costly Olympics and revised its borrowing figures for the previous three years, running up a deficit of 6% of its GDP.
The Singaporean decision, which could be appealed against, is a fresh blow to the European industry following the recent success of Boeing in winning orders for its new 787 Dreamliner civilian jet and the failure so far of Airbus to meet its target of 50 orders for its rival A350 by the end of June. -
Originally posted by nWo:
Ability to fit advanced weapons?? Looks like the F15T would stand a better chance. Just follow Israel's lead and experience in fitting "stuff" into their F15, just like the modified F16 used by them and us.
Source: FT.com: Financial Times (Subscription Needed)
[b]Singapore delivers blow to Eurofighter
By Peter Spiegel in London
Published: April 20 2005 19:02 | Last updated: April 20 2005 19:02
The four-nation Eurofighter consortium was dealt a heavy blow last week when Singapore's defence ministry told the group it had uncovered problems that could prevent the government buying the jet.
According to people familiar with the decision, Singapore has stopped short of dropping Eurofighter from a three-way competition. But it has raised detailed questions about the ability to fit Singapore's advanced weapons on the jet, a stumbling block that may make it impossible for Eurofighter to win.
[/b] -
Source: MINDEF Press Release
21 April 2005
NEW FIGHTER REPLACEMENT PROGRAMME (NFRP)
In response to media queries, MINDEF confirmed that it has narrowed down the selection for the new fighter replacement programme to DassaultÂ’s Rafale and BoeingÂ’s F-15. MINDEF has decided not to consider the proposal from BAE Systems any further.
The Typhoon is a very capable aircraft. However, the committed schedule for the delivery of the Typhoon and its systems did not meet the requirements of the RSAF. -
Maybe we could get the tech data regarding the F-15 from the Israelis..might alleviate the tech transfer problem.Originally posted by bcoy:Ability to fit advanced weapons?? Looks like the F15T would stand a better chance. Just follow Israel's lead and experience in fitting "stuff" into their F15, just like the modified F16 used by them and us.
Signs are pointing towards a common platform which can be modified easily.Anyway, for a F-5S replacement, the F-15T would be quite a good choice. -
F/A-22 Raptor gets green light
The U.S. Department of Defense has given the OK to Lockheed Martin Corp. to start full-rate production of the F/A-22 Raptor stealth fighter.
The aircraft is built at Lockheed's (NYSE: LMT) Marietta aeronautics facility and should reach initial operational capability in December 2005 at Langley Air Force Base, Va.
"The Under Secretary of Defense (Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics) [Michael W. Wynne] approved the full rate production capability of the F/A-22," according to an acquisition decision information paper released by the Department of Defense on April 18.
This F/A-22 program milestone follows initial operational test findings in February and March by both the Air Force and the Department of Defense, which judged the aircraft to be "overwhelming effective" in its performance. Air Force pilots will be able to dominate any engagement with the Raptor and the F/A-22 will provide protection for troops no matter where they are, to an extent never before possible, Bethesda, Md.-based Lockheed said.
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How would this impact the F-15 production run and spares support for the future? -
[Some earlier reports prior to MINDEF announcement]
Source: Reuters
Singapore silent on reports Eurofighter out of jet bid
Thu Apr 21, 2005 4:03 AM BST
SINGAPORE (Reuters) - Singapore declined to comment on Thursday on new reports that the city-state had dropped the Eurofighter combat jet from consideration in a $1 billion order.
Jane's Defence Weekly, quoting sources close to the Eurofighter programme, said on Wednesday that Singapore's defence ministry had delivered the Eurofighter team a letter formally discounting the jet from its fighter replacement programme.
On Monday, an industry source told Reuters that Singapore had dropped the Eurofighter combat jet from consideration but that the Rafale jet from France's Dassault and the F-15 from Boeing Co. remain in contention for the $1 billion order.
A Singapore Ministry of Defence spokeswoman declined to comment on the reports. "We can only confirm that the evaluation is still in progress," she said when asked when Singapore would decide on the bids.
The Singapore order, expected to include 20 jets, is pivotal because Boeing needs orders for the F-15 to ensure continued production, while Dassault and Eurofighter hunt for their first export orders from beyond Europe.
The Financial Times reported on Thursday that Singapore's defence ministry had stopped short of dropping Eurofighter from the bid but had raised detailed questions about the ability to fit Singapore's advanced weapons on the jet.
The four-nation Eurofighter consortium includes Franco-German Airbus parent EADS, Britain's BAE Systems, and Italian Finmeccanica's Alenia Aeronautica.
EAGER TO SELL
Industry sources told Reuters in March that the Southeast Asian city-state would probably decide on a replacement for its ageing A-4SU Super Skyhawk jets in the second quarter of 2005.
Singapore is known as a sophisticated arms buyer and its choice could influence other countries considering new fighters.
Jane's Defence Weekly said "issues of pricing and the reliable release of capability" within the required time frame were key concerns that derailed Eurofighter's bid.
The Rafale has yet to win its first export order after Dassault lost out on orders from Norway, the Netherlands and South Korea.
Singapore has also tested the F-15 fighter jets built by Boeing, which is under pressure to win a deal that would help it extend F-15 production beyond 2008.
All three of those multi-mission aircraft are much larger and more effective than the old Skyhawks, which are considered good, light bombers but are not fighters.
Boeing won a previous showdown against Dassault when South Korea opted for the F-15 in 2002.
Singapore-based sources told Reuters the French jet would probably be competitively priced, but that Boeing could benefit from Singapore's close links to the United States.
Singapore hosts a U.S. military communications and logistics command, U.S. navy ships regularly call at Changi Naval Base, and U.S. aircraft are permitted to use the republic's air fields. In May 2003, the two countries signed a bilateral free trade agreement. -
Some earlier reports prior to MINDEF announcement
Source: FT.com: Financial Times
Singapore delivers blow to Eurofighter
By Peter Spiegel in London
Published: April 21 2005 03:00 | Last updated: April 21 2005 03:00
The four-nation Eurofighter consortium was dealt a heavy blow last week when Singapore's defence ministry told the group it had uncovered problems that could prevent the government buying the jet.
According to people familiar with the decision, Singapore has stopped short of dropping Eurofighter from a three-way competition. But it has raised detailed questions about the ability to fit Singapore's advanced weapons on the jet, a stumbling block that may make it impossible for Eurofighter to win.
Just over a year ago Eurofighter was selected by Singapore from a group of six aircraft to compete for the order. Three jets, including one made by Lockheed-Martin, were dropped at the time. The other two aircraft that remain in the competition are the F-15 Eagle, built by Boeing of the US, and Rafale, made by France's Dassault Aviation.
A winner is expected to be selected this summer, and the new Eurofighter concerns make the F-15 and Rafale the favourites.
Although the potential order is relatively small - eight jets with an option to buy 12 more - Singapore is considered a "reference customer" that is closely watched by other nations since it has a transparent and rigorous acquisition process. A win by Eurofighter would have been a big boost for the programme, which has yet to secure a customer outside Europe.
"This would have been a real breakthrough order," said Richard Aboulafia, an aerospace consultant with the Washington-based Teal Group. "Even though the numbers are small, it would have been a powerful endorsement."
BAE Systems, one of three prime contractors building the jet and the company responsible for marketing Eurofighter to Singapore, has pushed hard to win in the city state, and the Royal Air Force has helped, flying two RAF Eurofighters to Singapore last year.
Industry experts said the recent efforts were believed to have significantly improved Eurofighter's chances, which originally were seen as slim thanks to an equally-strong push by Boeing and the US air force.
BAE declined to comment on its discussions with Singapore, and a Singaporean defence official said her government was not speaking publicly about the status of the competition.
Other industry officials said they believed the setback meant Eurofighter had been dropped from the competition, but people briefed on the talks said negotiations between Eurofighter and Singapore were continuing in an attempt to resolve the problems.
The setback in Singapore comes after the Greek government last year backed away from a commitment to buy 60 Eurofighters, making 18 jets ordered by Austria the programme's only sales outside its four home countries: Britain, Germany, Spain and Italy.
Such export orders are key to Eurofighter hopes of making the programme profitable. -
Originally posted by nWo:
Never been announced before though.
[b][Some earlier reports prior to MINDEF announcement]
Source: Reuters
Singapore hosts a U.S. military communications and logistics command, U.S. navy ships regularly call at Changi Naval Base, and U.S. aircraft are permitted to use the republic's air fields. In May 2003, the two countries signed a bilateral free trade agreement.
[/b] -
Source: ChannelNewsAsia
Time is GMT + 8 hours
Posted: 21 April 2005 1213 hrs
Singapore drops Eurofighter Typhoon from shopping list
Related News »
• MINDEF has dropped Eurofighter from fighter competition: report
SINGAPORE : The Singapore government confirmed Thursday that it had dropped the Eurofighter Typhoon from a shortlist of possible new fighters, leaving the French-built Rafale and US-made Boeing F-15 Strike Eagle as the final options.
The Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) said the Typhoon is a "very capable aircraft ... (but) the committed schedule for the delivery of the Typhoon and its systems did not meet the requirements" of the Republic of Singapore Air Force.
"In response to media queries, MINDEF confirmed that it has narrowed down the selection for the new fighter replacement programme to Dassaults Rafale and Boeings F-15," a ministry statement said.
"MINDEF has decided not to consider the proposal from BAE Systems any further."
- AFP /ct -
Source: Reuters
Singapore says Eurofighter dropped from jet bid
Thu Apr 21, 2005 5:19 AM BST
SINGAPORE (Reuters) - Singapore confirmed on Thursday that it has dropped the Eurofighter combat jet from consideration in bids to supply new fighter jets.
"In response to media queries, the Ministry of Defence confirmed that it has narrowed down the selection for the new fighter replacement programme to Dassault's Rafale and Boeing's F-15," the Singapore Ministry of Defence said in a statement.
The ministry said it had decided not to consider the proposal from BAE systems for the Eurofighter jet any further.
The Eurofighter consortium includes top European defence firms BAE Systems, Airbus parent EADS and Italy's Alenia Aeronautica. -
So it has become true....
Goodbye Typhoon
Oh well, may the best jet wins........... -
I hate rafale. Yeah, lets hope it is the F-15E.Originally posted by Lance_han:may the F-15 win... 