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28 Mar 19. Germany extends Saudi arms sale ban for another six months. The German government said on Thursday it would extend for a further six months a ban on exporting arms to Saudi Arabia which has strained ties with fellow European arms exporters with whom German companies have joint programmes. The ban, imposed after the killing of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, has been criticised by European allies since it put a question mark over billions of euros of military orders, including a £10bn ($13.27bn) deal to sell 48 Eurofighter Typhoon jets to Riyadh that would be led by Britain’s BAE Systems. The freeze has pitted Chancellor Angela Merkel’s conservatives against their Social Democrat coalition partners, who are keen to woo traditional voters sceptical about arms sales and worried about Saudi involvement in Yemen’s war.
“The ban will be extended for a further six months to September 30,” read an e-mailed statement by government spokesman Steffen Seibert. “Over this period no new export applications will be approved.”
But in an attempt to assuage French and British partners’ concerns, the government also agreed to extend for nine months export licences that had already been granted, provided the companies undertook not to deliver any finished weapon systems until the end of the year. This provision frees companies of the obligation to enter the costly and time-consuming process of applying for a new licence. The government also called on France and Britain to ensure that any weapons systems delivered to Saudi Arabia or the United Arab Emirates would not be deployed in the Yemen conflict. The government also said it would find ways of helping the privately-owned Peene shipyard in Germany, which has been prevented by the export ban from completing and delivering coastguard ships it has built for Saudi Arabia. Among the options was for Germany to buy the vessels. (Source: Reuters)
28 Mar 19. Despite Ankara’s claims, U.S. can make F-35 without Turkish parts-sources. The United States can still proceed with the trillion-dollar F-35 fighter jet programme without Turkish components, U.S. sources said, rebuffing arguments by Ankara that excluding the NATO ally would be too complicated. Washington is exploring whether it can remove Turkey from production of the stealth fighter jet, angered by Ankara’s refusal to back down from its planned purchase of a Russian-made defence missile system. Reuters last week reported that the United States could soon freeze preparations for delivering F-35 fighter jets to Turkey. While no decision has been made, excluding Turkey from the F-35 programme, in which it has been a long-time partner, would be a massive blow to already strained ties between Washington and Ankara. Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan has repeatedly said Ankara remained committed to buy a Russian air defence system that the United States says would compromise the security of F-35 aircraft, which is built by Lockheed Martin Corp. The United States and other NATO allies who own F-35 fighter jets fear the radar on the Russian S-400 missile system will learn how to spot and track the F-35, making it less able to evade Russian weapons in the future. The United States has offered Turkey the more expensive Patriot anti-missile system at a discount that expires at the end of March, but on condition that Ankara drop its plans to buy the S-400.
So far Ankara has not shown any willingness to reverse the S-400 purchase, forcing the United States to explore a future for the F-35 programme without Turkey, which makes parts of the fuselage, landing gear and cockpit displays. Two U.S. sources familiar with the F-35’s intricate worldwide production process and U.S. thinking on the issue say Turkey can be replaced. Officials with the Pentagon and the Turkish embassy declined to comment.
“There are about 800 parts that Turkey makes for the F-35, and of them, very few are sole source,” said a person with direct knowledge of the U.S. position, explaining that single source parts from Turkey can be replaced by contractors who had previously bid to make them.
“Turkey is not too big to fail,” the person said.
Ankara has long said it plays a key role in the F-35 programme and that excluding it would not be easy. Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said in December that the U.S. cannot unilaterally cancel Turkey’s participation.
NO MAJOR DELAYS IF TURKEY DROPPED
But several U.S. sources said the impact would not be drastic. Replacing or finding substitutes for the Turkish components would slow production for a three-month period at the Lockheed Martin facility that builds the jets, one of the sources said.
Several components of the F-35 made in Turkey can be easily replaced. For example, the centre fuselage produced in Ankara could be made by Northrop Grumman Corp, which already makes them in California.
India shoots down a satellite in space
Lockheed declined to comment.
Arda Mevlutoglu, a Turkey-based defence industry consultant, said removal of Turkey from the programme would not cause major issues for F-35 production process. “Removal of Turkey from the supply chain will definitely create some delays in the production and delivery process … I personally believe that it will not create drastic delays and cost overruns,” he said.
In the mean time, more Turkish pilots are set to begin training at U.S. air force bases, joining pilots already there, while Ankara still hopes to take delivery of two aircraft in November.
Turkey has said it plans to buy a total of 100 aircraft over the years.
Acting U.S. Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan said on Tuesday he wants Turkey to remain in the F-35 fighter jet programme, but added that Ankara needed to buy the Patriot missile defence system. (Source: Reuters)
28 Mar 19. Amid Russia tensions, producing F-35 fighter jets without Turkey possible – U.S. sources. Excluding NATO-member Turkey from the trillion-dollar F-35 fighter jet programme would be challenging due to Ankara’s integral role in the stealthy jet’s production process, but not impossible, U.S. sources familiar with the situation said. Last week Reuters reported that the United States could soon freeze preparations for delivering F-35 fighter jets to Turkey, a move that would widen the rift between Ankara and Washington, the latest disagreement in a years-long standoff. At the heart of the matter lies Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan’s commitment to buy a Russian air defence system that the United States says would compromise the security of F-35 aircraft, which is built by Lockheed Martin Corp. The United States and other NATO allies who own F-35 fighter jets fear the radar on the Russian S-400 missile system will learn how to spot and track the F-35, making it less able to evade Russian weapons in the future.
The United States has offered Turkey the more expensive, Patriot anti-missile system at a discount that expires at the end of March, but on the condition that Ankara drop its plans to buy the S-400.
So far Ankara has not shown any willingness to reverse the S-400 purchase, forcing the United States to explore a future for the F-35 programme without Turkey, which makes parts of the fuselage, landing gear and cockpit displays.
Two U.S. sources familiar with the F-35’s intricate, worldwide production process and U.S. thinking on the issue say Turkey can be replaced. Officials with the Pentagon and the Turkish embassy declined to comment.
“There are about 800 parts that Turkey makes for the F-35, and of them, very few are sole source,” said a person with direct knowledge of the U.S. position, explaining that single source parts from Turkey can be replaced by contractors who had previously bid to make them.
“Turkey is not too big to fail,” the person said.
Replacing or finding substitutes for the Turkish components would slow production for a three-month period at the Lockheed Martin facility that builds the jets, the person said.
Lockheed declined to comment.
Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu in December said Ankara plays a significant role in the production of the trillion-dollar jet and therefore removing it from the programme would not be easy.
But sources say several components of the F-35 made in Turkey, can be easily replaced. For example, the centre fuselage produced in Ankara, could be made by Northrop Grumman Corp , which already makes them in California.
In the mean time, more Turkish pilots are set to begin training at U.S. air force bases, joining the Turkish pilots already there and Ankara still hopes to take delivery of two aircraft in November.
Acting U.S. Defence Secretary Patrick Shanahan said on Tuesday he wants Turkey to remain in the F-35 fighter jet programme, but added that Ankara needed to buy the Patriot missile defence system. (Source: Reuters)
27 Mar 19. Germany’s SPD ready to allow some arms exports to Saudis – RND newspapers. Germany’s junior coalition party is prepared to allow some arms exports to Saudi Arabia, a softening of its position which may defuse a row with its conservative partners in power, RND media reported on Wednesday. Such a move by the Social Democrats (SPD) would also ease concerns in Britain and France that Germany’s current ban on arms exports to the kingdom, imposed after the killing of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, may threaten joint tank, combat jet and drone development.
Citing government sources, the RND group of newspapers reported that Germany’s security council would decide whether to extend the ban, due to expire at the end of March, on Wednesday.
The discussion would include what to do about joint European arms projects that have been approved but can no longer be delivered due to the moratorium. RND said it had information showing the SPD was prepared to pull back from a blanket ban and allow such joint projects to go ahead, provided that no more than 20 percent of the components involved came from Germany.
Some in Chancellor Angela Merkel’s conservatives are pushing for a higher proportion of German components, it reported. The council will also discuss the assessment of the situation in Yemen because in their coalition deal, the parties had agreed not to deliver arms to countries that are involved in the conflict there. That includes Saudi Arabia. Last week the SPD said it wanted to extend the freeze but many conservatives argue a continued ban hurts Germany’s commercial reputation and could jeopardise projects such as the development of a Franco-German combat jet and other arms deals. The freeze has also put a question mark over billions of euros of military orders, including a £10bn ($13.2bn) deal to sell 48 Eurofighter Typhoon jets to Riyadh that would be led by Britain’s BAE Systems. (Source: Reuters)
26 Mar 19. ‘We need Turkey to buy the Patriot’ missile defense system – acting Pentagon chief. Acting U.S. Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan said on Tuesday that he wanted NATO ally Turkey to remain in the F-35 fighter jet program, but added that Ankara needed to buy the Patriot missile defense system. At a House of Representatives Armed Services Committee hearing, Shanahan was asked whether the United States wanted Turkey in the F-35 program.
“We absolutely do; we need Turkey to buy the Patriot,” he answered.
Washington has opposed Turkey’s plans to buy Russia’s S-400 air defense system, on concerns that would compromise the Lockheed Martin Corp-made F-35’s security. In the strongest signal yet from Washington that Ankara cannot have both the advanced aircraft and the S-400, officials have told Reuters the United States could soon freeze preparations for delivering the F-35 to Turkey. The Patriot system is made by Raytheon Co. (Source: Defense News Early Bird/Reuters)
26 Mar 19. German Export Policies Threaten European Defense Projects: French Ambassador. Franco-German ventures to make tanks, drones and jets could be at risk due to Berlin’s approach to arms exports, the French ambassador warns. As a consequence, ever more companies were developing “German-free” weapons. France’s ambassador to Germany, Anne-Marie Descotes, warned on Monday that German arms export policies and licensing rules threatened future Franco-German defense projects. The remarks come as the two European nations are seeking to form a closer defense cooperation and to deepen ties between their parliaments. In an essay published by the German military’s Federal Academy for Security Policy, she said Germany had a tendency to see arms exports as a domestic political issue, but that its policies still “have serious consequences for our bilateral cooperation in the defense sector and the strengthening of European sovereignty.”
An ‘untenable’ situation
Germany’s unpredictable arms export policies and long waiting times for export licenses are a particular problem, Descotes said. This has an impact on major Franco-German projects to develop new tanks, combat jets and drones.
“This situation is untenable,” she wrote. “Realistic export possibilities on the basis of clear and predictable rules are an essential prerequisite for the survival of our European defense industry.”
More exports needed
Descotes pointed out that there are no standard procedures for the purchase of military equipment in Europe, something that France supports but Germany has so far rejected. This has pushed EU member states to purchase arms outside of the continent and fragmenting the European market. She went further to say that exports were needed to add sales volume and lower arms prices. If not, European countries would need to boost military spending to as much as 4 percent of economic output.
Arms to Saudi Arabia
The German government recently extended a temporary freeze on arms exports to Saudi Arabia until the end of the month. It was imposed after the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. The Saudi arms ban angered European partners, who fear it has jeopardized billions of euros of military orders, including a £10bn ($13.18bn; €11.65bn) deal to sell 48 Eurofighter Typhoon jets to Riyadh that would be led by Britain’s BAE Systems. German firms build about a third of the plane’s components.
A Franco-German accord possible
Descotes said it was unacceptable that Germany could veto and endanger exports of weapons systems by other countries simply because they contained minor components that were built in Germany. The ambassador suggested that France and Germany continue to work in the coming weeks on completing a bilateral accord to only allow each country to ban each other’s arms exports in exceptional cases that affected; in the case that country’s direct interest or national security. The agreement, she said, would also prevent Germany or France from blocking the each other’s exports, on the basis that the components were manufactured domestically. (Source: defense-aerospace.com/Deutsche Welle German Radio)
25 Mar 19. Update: air strikes against Daesh.
- Tuesday 12 March – Typhoons supported the Syrian Democratic Forces attacking Daesh in Baghuz Fawqani, striking dispersed terrorist positions, and destroying a large truck-bomb.
- Sunday 17 March – Typhoons destroyed a building in Baghuz Fawqani, from which Daesh were engaging the Syrian Democratic Forces at close range.
- Monday 18 March – a Reaper killed two terrorists in a trench at Baghuz Fawqani, while Typhoons struck four other Daesh positions.
Royal Air Force aircraft, alongside other coalition partners, have continued to provide close air support to the Syrian Democratic Forces as they attacked the last remaining Daesh stronghold in eastern Syria, at Baghuz Fawqani. Typhoon, Reaper and Sentinel aircraft have flown daily reconnaissance missions, with the Typhoons and Reapers ready to engage targets if requested by the SDF. On Tuesday 12 March, the SDF came into contact with Daesh in dispersed positions, and two Typhoon FGR4s conducted a series of three attacks, using a total of four Paveway IV guided bombs, which successfully silenced the terrorists’ fire. In addition, a large number of vehicles had been abandoned in the area of the fighting, and one large truck in their midst was identified as booby-trapped with an improvised explosive device. The Typhoons were able to pick out and safely destroy this truck-bomb with a single Brimstone 2 missile.
Typhoons conducted a further attack on Sunday 17 March when the SDF came under fire at close range from a building held by Daesh in Baghuz Fawqani. The proximity of the SDF to the target required particular careful targeting by the Typhoons’ pilots, but a single Paveway IV demolished the terrorist position with great accuracy.
The crew of a Reaper observed two terrorists, who were attempting to conceal their weapons under heavy cloaks, taking up position in a trench at Baghuz Fawqani on Monday 18 March, and successfully engaged them with a Hellfire missile. Typhoons were also patrolling the area, and they conducted an attack which struck four dispersed Daesh positions simultaneously with Paveway IVs.
Campaign against Daesh
The Royal Air Force has struck two key targets, as the UK supports the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) who are working to clear Daesh from their last small pocket of territory.
British aircraft have delivered air attacks to assist the SDF with operations on the ground, while conducting daily reconnaissance missions around Baghuz, eastern Syria. Coalition aircraft also remain available to assist the Iraqi security forces as necessary, to prevent Daesh from re-establishing a presence in the country.
On Thursday 21 February, two Typhoons were tasked with an attack on a cave in northern Iraq where a group of terrorists had been spotted, some ten miles east of Tal Afar. Coalition surveillance aircraft carefully checked the surrounding countryside for any civilians who might be placed at risk, before the Typhoons used two Paveway IVs to collapse the entrance to the cave.
A Reaper provided close air support to the Syrian Democratic Forces as they fought Daesh around Baghuz Fawqani on Saturday 2 March. The Reaper’s crew observed a rocket-propelled grenade being fired from a building, and shortly afterwards a small group of armed terrorists emerged. They were tracked by the Reaper, whilst careful checks were made that no SDF or otherwise unidentified individuals were too close to them, then successfully engaged with a single Hellfire missile. (Source: U.K. MoD)
22 Mar 19. Think tank to Italy: Join UK Tempest program, then try to merge it with Franco-German effort. A leading Italian think tank is pressuring the country to enter Britain’s Tempest fighter program as soon as possible and then push for the project to merge with a rival Franco-German effort. The proposal by the IAI think tank in Rome comes as the Italian government deliberates over what air power it will need in the 2030s, around the time when the Tempest could take to the skies.
The British program was announced last year as France and Germany started work on their own Future Combat Air System, raising the prospect of European neighbors working, yet again, on rival aircraft, following parallel developments of the Eurofighter, Rafale and Gripen.
To avoid that, IAI stated in a paper published this week, the Tempest project, with Italy on board, “should in the midterm merge with the Franco-German project for the benefit of European defence and strategic autonomy.”
The industrial team involved in the Tempest program already includes Italy’s Leonardo, thanks to its large-scale operation in the U.K., and an Italian junior defense minister has called for Rome to become a national partner on the fighter project, although wariness over defense spending in Rome means there’s been no official commitment.
Other potential national partners include Sweden and Holland, with 2035 as a possible initial operating capability goal.
“Italy will soon have to choose one of these two sides, and a timely decision is critical in order to enable Rome to influence the crucial, initial steps of a FCAS cooperative project,” IAI warned.
The paper listed reasons why Italy would find a solid partner in the U.K., citing the fact that both have flown the Tornado and Eurofighter and are now introducing the F-35. Using a fifth-generation fighter gives “both countries a basis from which to look to the 6th-generation in military and industrial terms,” the paper said.
The authors said Italy could take a stronger role in Tempest than it would in the Franco-German project, placing Rome in a key position if the programs merged.
“In contrast, if Rome were to accept an ancillary position in the Franco–German project, it would probably be the weaker partner, whose interests could be sacrificed to make room for a future marriage with London,” the paper stated.
The risk that the U.K. is about to leave the European Union without a trade deal, as Brexit negotiations falter, was a risk that did not outweigh the advantages, the paper argued.
Paris would only consider a request to enter FCAS “after the military requirements had been set up and the industrial architecture designed, with little room to accommodate Italian requests. In other words, for Italy, achieving a satisfactory compromise with Paris and joining the Franco–German project is not impossible, but it is much more difficult and unlikely in comparison with a deal with the UK,” the paper said.
Another Italian think tank, the Centre for International Studies, also put out a paper this week on the two fighter programs, and also urged Italy to join Tempest.
It predicted a difficult relationship between Paris and Berlin, given France’s need to carry nuclear weapons on the future fighter and to build a carrier version — two ambitions Germany does not share.
“Above all, it is difficult not to see in the renewed French-German partnership the willingness to cut back the role of Rome within Europe’s big defense initiatives,” the paper said.
The IAI paper went on to promote the eventual merging of the two programs.
“First, we should enter Tempest as fast as possible,” IAI analyst Michele Nones said. “The idea of merging it with FCAS is now delayed until the end of the technology development phase at the end of the next decade.
“At that point discussions can start; otherwise, if the programs remain separate, neither will have a sufficient market, and we will need to depend on an uncertain level of exports.”
Merging the two programs was also backed this week by Alessandro Profumo, the CEO of Leonardo.
“Tempest will be open to the participation of other countries,” he told Italian daily Il Sole 24 Ore. “I hope the French and Germans will join in.” (Source: Defense News)
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