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6/17/2025, 1:29:10 PM
>>63851136
>In theory the best urgent solution would be the M-346
I would love that since I'm obsessed with it but there would be too many issues for France.
>non french plane to represent France abroad
>if bought only for the PAF then the cost/unit will be raised and can't be spread out for LIFT training
>France would just be a consumer as the project is already mature and building a production line in france wouldn't make any sense for the airframes they need (unless they plan to field a lot of FA variants)
>american engine
>Italy not part of FCAS
Pros would be that french pilots are already used to the M-346 from their representation at the IFTS, the mechanics from the Singapoereans M-346s that are stationed at Cazaux Air Base and it's "ready" for delivery (altough Leonardo has orders till at least 2032)
>https://www.lefigaro.fr/conjoncture/quel-avion-pour-succeder-aux-alphajet-de-la-patrouille-de-france-20250213
This french article says the British Aeralis (picrel; uk startup tasked to replace the Hawk) has proposed the french aviospace industry to jointly develop the program. This would resolve various issues faced by the UK and let France say their next jet is at least partially french.
To me it seems like unless france does something 100% by itself there will be always compromises on the political aspects, but developing a trainer from the ground up now would take at the very least till 2035 to have a prototype if they go lightspeed with zero issues on the development. Potential customers if it's made ITAR free would be previous french customers, but most of them either aren't looking for trainers now or have bought the russian or chinese version of the 346.
>In theory the best urgent solution would be the M-346
I would love that since I'm obsessed with it but there would be too many issues for France.
>non french plane to represent France abroad
>if bought only for the PAF then the cost/unit will be raised and can't be spread out for LIFT training
>France would just be a consumer as the project is already mature and building a production line in france wouldn't make any sense for the airframes they need (unless they plan to field a lot of FA variants)
>american engine
>Italy not part of FCAS
Pros would be that french pilots are already used to the M-346 from their representation at the IFTS, the mechanics from the Singapoereans M-346s that are stationed at Cazaux Air Base and it's "ready" for delivery (altough Leonardo has orders till at least 2032)
>https://www.lefigaro.fr/conjoncture/quel-avion-pour-succeder-aux-alphajet-de-la-patrouille-de-france-20250213
This french article says the British Aeralis (picrel; uk startup tasked to replace the Hawk) has proposed the french aviospace industry to jointly develop the program. This would resolve various issues faced by the UK and let France say their next jet is at least partially french.
To me it seems like unless france does something 100% by itself there will be always compromises on the political aspects, but developing a trainer from the ground up now would take at the very least till 2035 to have a prototype if they go lightspeed with zero issues on the development. Potential customers if it's made ITAR free would be previous french customers, but most of them either aren't looking for trainers now or have bought the russian or chinese version of the 346.
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