Frag Out! Magazine
Issue link: https://fragout.uberflip.com/i/661228
Kuwait wants to replace its F/A-18C/D Hornet with a latest generation of this fighter - the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet. Due to that it will become the second export user, (after Australia) of these machines. Unfortunately, for the time being Washington says "no go" - US Navy. Qatar planned a purchase of 72 F-15E Strikes Eagle two years ago as a replacement for Mirage 2000 fighters, Finally, the replacement for F-15 will be the Dassault Rafale, and the remaining Strike Eagles will supplement them, if only Washington approves this – Photo: US Navy. the Qatar is s interested to purchase the Boeing aircraft because policy of its government assumes a significant expansion of offensive capabilities. Now, Qatari air forces has only 13 Mirage 2000 fighters. Considering the declared numbers, the Boeing can still count on selling c.a 35 pieces of the F-15 Strike Eagles – since the contract with France was signed for 12 aircraft. The situation is similar in Kuwait where the authorities will sign in February 2016 a contract for 28 Eurofighter Typhoon fighters. The purchase of the European-made fighters is also an expression of the disapproval towards the American politics. Like Qatar, Kuwait all the time declares a willingness to buy the Super Hornets – if it happens, we will see this year. The third country of the region which can join a list in the "Freezer" is Bahrain. The government wants to upgrade the fleet of currently owned F-16C/D Fighting Falcon Block 40 aircraft to the F-16V standard, as well as purchase additional 16-18 fighters. Evan such a small deal would add some life to the assembly line in Fort Worth – apart from Bahrain a list of potential F-16 buyers includes, among others Pakistan (eight fighters) and the United Arab Emirates (thirty fighters). The light at the end of the tunnel for the Boeing and the authorities in Qatar, Kuwait and Bahrain can be the last decision taken in Washington D.C. namely, the Department of State authorized a possibility of selling to Israel a pair KC-46 Pegasus multi-role tanker and strategic transport aircraft. Over the last months, the authorities of Israel exercised pressure on issuing a consent, what was blocked because, according to the Obama's administration, the KC-46 could become an important offensive element aimed to perform attacks on targets located in Iran. If Washington will initiate a sale process to Israel, we can also expect a positive opinion with regard to the countries of the Persian Gulf soon. The question arises how long the sheikhs can wait? A possible termination of the sales of the multi-role fighters by the Boeing will have to, knowing the realities of the Unted States politics, result in a necessity to ensure a consolation prize – it can be the subsequent purchases of the Super Hornets for the US Navy or a recommendation as a supplier of the new T-X advance training aircraft for the United States Air Forces. Certainly, if a local rivals will agree for this. INDUSTRY ANALYSIS