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S-400 vs Rafale: Turkey to deploy Russian S-400 Missile to counter French Rafale Jets

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FEATURED
S-400 vs Rafale: Turkey to deploy Russian S-400 Missile to counter French Rafale Jets
India would be keeping a close eye as French-built Rafale jets could take on Russian-designed S-400 air defence systems in Libya. India is set to acquire both S-400s and Rafale jets as Turkey looks to protect its interest in Libya

Published
1 hour ago
on
July 13, 2020
By
EurAsian Times Desk

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S-400 missiles vs Rafale jets could soon be a reality as Turkey could possibly deploy Russian S-400 air defence systems in Libya to counter the French & Egyptian air force which includes the Mirage and Rafale jets.

Turkey has been on the receiving end of attacks by Rafale jets in Libya and is looking to activate the Russian S-400 missiles as a countermeasure.
As reported by EurAsian Times earlier, Rafale jets dodged radars and Turkish air defence systems and bombed the Al-Watiya airbase in Libya. Al-Watiya airbase is used by Ankara and houses Turkish F-16s, Bayraktar B2, Anka S-drones and is defended by MIM-23 Hawk air defence system.
The fact that Rafale jets were able to bomb the Al-Watiya base with relative ease has generated discussions in Turkey to deploy the formidable Russian S-400 missiles in Libya.
As consistently reported by the EurAsian Times, the S-400 is one of the most advanced missile defence systems in the world that can detect, track and destroy aerial targets in a range of 400 km. It is designed to neutralize aircraft, cruise and ballistic missiles, including medium-range missiles, and can also be used against ground installations.

Although Turkey acquired the Russian S-400 air defence systems, Ankara has not decided to activate the missiles due to various geopolitical factors. Currently, Ankara has deployed a combination of medium-range U.S.-made MIM-23 Hawk missile systems, Hisar short-range SAMs, and Korkut antiaircraft guns in Libya.
The Turkish military build-up in Libya allowed the Government of National Accord (GNA), backed by Turkey, Qatar and Italy, to go on the offensive against Libyan National Army (LNA), led by Khalil Haftar and supported by France, Saudi Arabia and Egypt and the UAE.

However, thanks to the advanced Rafale jets the bubble has burst and the limitations of current Turkish air defence systems have been exposed and the need for S-400s seems to be arising.
S-400 vs Rafale Jets
Basel Haj Jasem, an expert on Russian-Turkish relations believes that the deployment of S-400 in Libya would be a win-win for Ankara. Not only would the S-400 missiles be capable to neutralise the French Rafale’s, but it would also allow Turkey to evade U.S. sanctions.

Washington has threatened Ankara with sanctions and suspended Turkey from the programme to build and operate the latest F-35 jets last year after Turkey bought the S-400s from Moscow. The US disapproves the S-400 purchase by Turkey and argues that it is not compatible with NATO systems and threatens the stealth capabilities of the new fighter jets.
The United States has asked Turkey to sell S-400 missiles to a third party, to deploy them in another country or pledge in writing not to activate the system.

According to Jasem, one of the most beneficial scenarios that may be accepted by the three main parties is deploying the S-400 system in Libya in line with the security and military agreements between Ankara and Tripoli and after agreeing with Moscow and Washington.
He states that since there is more at stake than just a missile system, Turkey wants to maintain a balance between Russia and the US, preferring not to risk its relations either side at the expense of the other.

The Libyan Civil War has descended into utter chaos. Countries which are otherwise allies are now enemies and countries which are otherwise enemies are now allies. What happens next in Libya is a hard guess, but defence experts would keep a close watch and see if the French Rafale jets dare to take on the ‘impregnable’ Russian S-400 air defence systems.

Interesting time ahead!

 

[Picdelamirand-oil]

Interesting time ahead!

Not even afraid

 

[Lolwa]

You are completely wrong there. Among all the jets in the competition, the Rafale will be the fastest to induct and Mig-35 will be the slowest to induct. The reason is simple, even today the Mig-35 doesn't exist and has no official orders whereas there is a fully functioning Rafale production line in France, and India will also have a Rafale line become available very quickly if necessary due to the investment DRAL has already made.

If you are worried about the "slow" production line of the Rafale, then you shouldn't be. They have the ability to deliver 40+ jets a year as long as you place enough orders for it, not counting the Indian line adding even more to the production rate.

Migs are also expensive. It's only slightly cheaper than the MKI, but comes with all the same expenses I talked about. It's cheap in terms of operating costs compared to the MKI by about 30% or so, that's about it.

Mig-35, F-15, SH, Typhoon, all these jets are much more expensive than Rafale because all these jets have to undergo expensive overhauls frequently. Rafale only seems expensive because of its higher sticker price, but that is mainly because of its advanced avionics. If you bring all the other jets up to Rafale specs, even their sticker price will increase. And no, none of these jets are specced to the same standards as the Rafale, especially with the ISE configuration on our Rafales. We have to pay a lot of money to MKIze the other jets, including the Mig-35. Not to mention, we have to continue to pay for customising the Rafale and then pay for the same capability for the Mig-35 as well, and that's just dumb.

First, we have to wait for the Russians to order the Mig-35 and then start operating them in some numbers. Let them fix all the problems with it, and then offer it. Until that happens, the Mig is just a participant.

Why isn't rafale overhauled like the other plane?? I understand rafale is a great plane but it's not a silver bullet. Also rafale gets out-specced by the f15 ex and typhoon. Rafale's strongest strength is its ew apart from that it does have some drawbacks. it does not have two way data link for meteor like the typhoon or gripen. So it's in some matters underspecced too.

We can't realistically MKIze any other plane apart from the Russians. The Russians have shit electronics that's why we have to bring in India,French and Israeli electronics. We won't need to MKIze any European or American aircraft because their electronics are already top-notch. The rafale is not being mkised like the Sukhoi has been those are jaut cosmetic enhancements.

Mig 35 is just mig 29 with a marketing sticker the Russians would happily make one for us. Also the mig 29k never existed before the Indians bought them so what is stopping from buying a "not in-service" mig 35. The migs are as costly as the f a/18's in terms of operational costs.
If MoD had brains they would have already ordered the mk1a and fast tracked the MWF. That isn't happening and with our falling squadron strength manufacturing the mig 29/35 isn't bad idea considering how import hungry the Indian MoD is. This is not for replacing the MMRCA it's similar to talwar class deal with the Russians. We could have easily bought more kamortas but we went with Russian systems so why not for the IAF. For the mmrca it's should be either rafale or some murican plane. The mig 35 should be bought in a separate deal or maybe just mig 29 upg standard mugs should be manufactured by hal . That way the Babu's at hal will be happy and rafale can be made by a private entity which will not screw the quality of the indian rafale's.

 

[Hydra]

FEATURED
Stealth vs Thrust: Why Indian Air Force needs American jets instead of Russian aircraft?

For the US and much of the world, the stealth fighter jets – F-22s and F-35s indicate US air dominance and prowess. However, with the arrival of ‘highly manoeuvrable’ SU-57, the Russians are confident that they can challenge US dominance


Published
8 hours ago
on
July 13, 2020
By
EurAsian Times Desk

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The Indian air force is in the process of a major overhaul. Recently, at the height of India-China border conflict, Indian defence minister Rajnath Singh flew to Russia and signed a $2.3 billion deal for Russian jets which included 21 MiG-29s and 12 Sukhoi Su-30MKIs.

Rafale jets dodge all radars, air defence systems; bombs Turkish facilities in Libya

Many experts have questioned whether the Russian jets operated by the Indian air force can overwhelm Chinese planes which are mostly modelled on Russian technology?
According to Nitin J Ticku an expert with the EurAsian Times, the difference between the US and Russian jets lies in two fundamentally different approaches to aerial combat and New Delhi needs to make a pick.
In conversation with the EurAsian Times, Nitin J Ticku argue that compared to US fighter jets, the Russian Air Force fighter planes usually have a higher thrust and, as a result, better manoeuvrability.

Why Is India Buying More Russian Jets Instead Of ‘Highly-Competent’ Rafale Aircraft?

The Russians still consider mid-range or short-range air combat relevant, so their basic concept is to make their jets competent in super-manoeuvrability, a role that might be overrated.
For instance, if the most advanced Russian jets like Su-57 or Indian air force operated Su-30MKI gets detected by enemy radars or is unable to detect stealth or semi stealth enemy jets, the thrust or manoeuvrability factor is of no use, Ticku argues.
US Stealth vs Russian Thrust
For the US and much of the world, the stealth fighter jets – F-22s and F-35s indicate US air dominance and prowess. However, with the arrival of ‘highly manoeuvrable’ SU-57, the Russians are confident that they can challenge American dominance.

In fact, the Russian are so confident that they named the ‘SU-57’ because it combines the best of both F-22 and F-35 and if you add the suffix for both the planes you get 57.
As expected, Russia has kept the details of the aircraft under wraps but leaked reports on the internet do give some interesting insights. Experts believe the SU-57 is an evolution of the SU-27 Flanker’s shape, modernized for low radar observability but also even greater manoeuvrability.

Aviation author Piotr Butowski claims that its high static instability makes it more manoeuvrable than any modern fighter plane. The blended wing design increases internal volume for avionics, fuel and weapons.

The major component of the SU-57’s performance is its two engines. The Saturn izdeliye 30 engines are each meant to generate between 24,054 and 35,556 pounds of thrust, with the high end in the same territory as the F-22’s F119 engines.
These are meant to drive the fighter to speeds of up to Mach 1.5 in supercruise. The SU-57 will equip with the N056 Byelka (“squirrel”) radar system and the L402 electronic countermeasures suite. L-band arrays will be the fighter’s primary means of detecting stealth aircraft, while at shorter ranges the 101KS Atoll electro-optical suite, including an infrared search and track system, will help the pilot track and engage targets with infrared-guided missiles.

In comparison to the F-22 Raptor, the SU-57 has two large internal weapons bay. Each bay can carry up to 4 K-77 M and the K-74M2 missiles. The former is a beyond visual range radar-guided missile and has the capability to engage agile targets up to a 100 miles.

Experts write that the SU-57 is thoroughly inclined towards manoeuvrability and speed while its counterparts in the US rely primarily on the stealth factor, making them almost invincible.
The US jets clearly get an advantage as they can detect ‘highly manoeuvrable’ Russian aircraft early and counter it without showing on its radar. Experts argue that if India has to counter the PLAAF (Chinese air force) India needs more western, especially US jets that can outgun any aircraft in the region.

A tweet by Global Times read: The #US gives the green light to #Japan‘s F-35 jets purchase. Such a large-scale military expansion in Japan is worrying, especially to its neighbours. There are concerns Japan will break its peaceful constitution.


This was recently acknowledged by China after the US recently approved the sale of F-35 joint strike fighters to Japan. China, via its media, expressed serious concern of having such advanced aircraft in the region which could severely impact the security of both China and Russia.

Stealth vs Thrust: Why Indian Air Force needs American jets instead of Russian aircraft?

 

[Ankit Kumar]

Why isn't rafale overhauled like the other plane?? I understand rafale is a great plane but it's not a silver bullet. Also rafale gets out-specced by the f15 ex and typhoon. Rafale's strongest strength is its ew apart from that it does have some drawbacks. it does not have two way data link for meteor like the typhoon or gripen. So it's in some matters underspecced too.

We can't realistically MKIze any other plane apart from the Russians. The Russians have shit electronics that's why we have to bring in French and Israeli electronics. We won't need to MKIze and European or American aircraft because their electronics are already top-notch. Mig 35 is just mig 29 with a marketing sticker the Russians would happily make one for us. Also the mig 29k never existed before the Indians bought them so what is stopping from buying a "not in-service" mig 35. The migs are as costly as the f a/18's in terms of operational costs.
If MoD had brains they would have already ordered the mk1a and fast tracked the MWF. That isn't happening and with our falling squadron strength manufacturing the mig 29/35 isn't bad idea considering how import hungry the Indian MoD is. This is not for replacing the MMRCA it's similar to talwar class deal with the Russians. We could have easily bought more kamortas but we went with Russian systems so why not for the IAF. For the mmrca it's should be either rafale or some murican plane. The mig 35 should be bought in a separate deal or maybe just mig 29 upg standard mugs should be manufactured by hal . That way the Babu's at hal will be happy and rafale can be made by a private entity which will not screw the quality of the indian rafale's.

F15 is in the class of Su30MKI. However advance it may be it's a Air superiority fighter at the end of the day. We have Litening pods for Su30 fleet too, but their primary task is not bombing runs. They are for pure air dominance.

Eurofighter Typhoon acquisition cost is 25-30 million USD more per aircraft compared to similar capabilities in Rafale. That's where it's beaten.


Plus I would like to add one more thing. It's a headache maintaining the Su30MKI fleet , but it's fully worth it. A Su30 MKI in air has no competition in all of Asia without any supporting elements like tankers or AWACS. Its radar is no small thing, people will talk about its big RCS, but forget it's radar. That thing can detect a F16 in a cluttered air space at ranges greater than 150 km and not just one, 16 such targets simultaneously.

A Mig29 is no comparison for it. It's fully worth it the effort for Su30MKI, it's not so much for Mig. That's why I am not so enthusiastic about Migs.

 

[randomradio]

Why isn't rafale overhauled like the other plane??

The plane is highly modular and any malfunctioning parts can be replaced without needing to ground the aircraft.

I understand rafale is a great plane but it's not a silver bullet. Also rafale gets out-specced by the f15 ex and typhoon. Rafale's strongest strength is its ew apart from that it does have some drawbacks. it does not have two way data link for meteor like the typhoon or gripen. So it's in some matters underspecced too.

Neither of the aircraft you mentioned can compete with the Rafale.

We can't realistically MKIze any other plane apart from the Russians. The Russians have shit electronics that's why we have to bring in India,French and Israeli electronics. We won't need to MKIze any European or American aircraft because their electronics are already top-notch. The rafale is not being mkised like the Sukhoi has been those are jaut cosmetic enhancements.

Yep. We don't need to replace some electronics, but we have asked for enhancements that are expensive, and most of those enhancements will have to be repeated on any other jet we buy as well.

Mig 35 is just mig 29 with a marketing sticker the Russians would happily make one for us. Also the mig 29k never existed before the Indians bought them so what is stopping from buying a "not in-service" mig 35. The migs are as costly as the f a/18's in terms of operational costs.
If MoD had brains they would have already ordered the mk1a and fast tracked the MWF. That isn't happening and with our falling squadron strength manufacturing the mig 29/35 isn't bad idea considering how import hungry the Indian MoD is. This is not for replacing the MMRCA it's similar to talwar class deal with the Russians. We could have easily bought more kamortas but we went with Russian systems so why not for the IAF. For the mmrca it's should be either rafale or some murican plane. The mig 35 should be bought in a separate deal or maybe just mig 29 upg standard mugs should be manufactured by hal . That way the Babu's at hal will be happy and rafale can be made by a private entity which will not screw the quality of the indian rafale's.

Even the RuAF is waiting for Mig-35, and Mikoyan is yet to deliver. How will they magically make one for India then?

The Mig-35 is years away from becoming fully operational. First it has to be ordered, then tested by RuAF, then ordered again in large numbers and deployed in frontline bases before it becomes something the IAF will look at. Good luck waiting for that. As far as the IAF is concerned, they don't want jets that are only prototypes. They want fully functioning jets. As of today, among twin engine jets, that's only Typhoon and SH.

Indian MoD is not import-hungry, and neither are the forces. Only vested interests think that and put it in the media, so the people also think the same way. In fact, the indigenous-import ratio used to be 30:70, but now it has switched to 65:35.

 

[randomradio]

F15 is in the class of Su30MKI. However advance it may be it's a Air superiority fighter at the end of the day. We have Litening pods for Su30 fleet too, but their primary task is not bombing runs. They are for pure air dominance.

Eurofighter Typhoon acquisition cost is 25-30 million USD more per aircraft compared to similar capabilities in Rafale. That's where it's beaten.


Plus I would like to add one more thing. It's a headache maintaining the Su30MKI fleet , but it's fully worth it. A Su30 MKI in air has no competition in all of Asia without any supporting elements like tankers or AWACS. Its radar is no small thing, people will talk about its big RCS, but forget it's radar. That thing can detect a F16 in a cluttered air space at ranges greater than 150 km and not just one, 16 such targets simultaneously.

A Mig29 is no comparison for it. It's fully worth it the effort for Su30MKI, it's not so much for Mig. That's why I am not so enthusiastic about Migs.

The Mig-35's new radar will be better than the Bars. So only the MKI MLU will retain its edge over the Mig.

But the Mig-35 is still not ready. It's still in the LRIP phase with an order of 6 aircraft for trials. Currently the expected order book, but yet to be ordered, is just 1 regiment of 24-36 jets by 2027.

 

[Lolwa]

F15 is in the class of Su30MKI. However advance it may be it's a Air superiority fighter at the end of the day. We have Litening pods for Su30 fleet too, but their primary task is not bombing runs. They are for pure air dominance.

Eurofighter Typhoon acquisition cost is 25-30 million USD more per aircraft compared to similar capabilities in Rafale. That's where it's beaten.


Plus I would like to add one more thing. It's a headache maintaining the Su30MKI fleet , but it's fully worth it. A Su30 MKI in air has no competition in all of Asia without any supporting elements like tankers or AWACS. Its radar is no small thing, people will talk about its big RCS, but forget it's radar. That thing can detect a F16 in a cluttered air space at ranges greater than 150 km and not just one, 16 such targets simultaneously.

A Mig29 is no comparison for it. It's fully worth it the effort for Su30MKI, it's not so much for Mig. That's why I am not so enthusiastic about Migs.

F 15X is based on the F15E which is primarily a deep interdictor striker. It is not like f15c. It has more multirole flexibility than even the mki. The f 15 as a platform has done more airstrikes than even rafale. So there are no questions on the capability of the f15x. And if su 30 mki is so good what happened on 27 th feb. I know what were the reasons for the failure but it still begs the question as to why the mki couldn't counter attack if it's such a good a2a platform.

A mig 29 cannot replace the su 30 or rafale or the Mirage it's primarily being used for having enough numbers to replace the mig 21/27 and jaguars. It's to face the f 16 and j10 which it can handle. And that's what the mig 35 should be used for as cannon fodder..

 

[Ankit Kumar]

F 15X is based on the F15E which is primarily a deep interdictor striker. It is not like f15c. It has more multirole flexibility than even the mki. The f 15 as a platform has done more airstrikes than even rafale. So there are no questions on the capability of the f15x. And if su 30 mki is so good what happened on 27 th feb. I know what were the reasons for the failure but it still begs the question as to why the mki couldn't counter attack if it's such a good a2a platform.

A mig 29 cannot replace the su 30 or rafale or the Mirage it's primarily being used for having enough numbers to replace the mig 21/27 and jaguars. It's to face the f 16 and j10 which it can handle. And that's what the mig 35 should be used for as cannon fodder..

The Su30MKI did not fail on 27th Feb.

We had 2 problems.

1. Our RoE.
2. Tremendous lack of AWACS and Tankers.

And Su30MKI is as good an air dominance fighter with multi role capabilities as we need.

F15 in any iteration is just an American alternative for the flanker.

 

[Ashwin]

Russia is playing a strange game between the support to India one one hand, and the support to Pk on the other hand :

News Co. (ASX:NWS) Insider Ana Pessoa Sells 3,121 Shares

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www.defenseworld.net

Have French stopped supporting the Mirage 3/5 fleet yet ?

 

[ashdoc]

Rafale numbers don’t add up

Clarity is required on the deal's India-specific technologies and their industrial viability plan

www.google.com

According to this article lack of two way data link means the rafale cannot exploit the full capabilities of the meteor missile .

 

[randomradio]

F 15X is based on the F15E which is primarily a deep interdictor striker. It is not like f15c. It has more multirole flexibility than even the mki. The f 15 as a platform has done more airstrikes than even rafale. So there are no questions on the capability of the f15x.

The MKI is a better air superiority fighter than the F-15C, and the F-15E is a better strike fighter than the MKI.

The IAF is not interested in a strike fighter.

And if su 30 mki is so good what happened on 27 th feb. I know what were the reasons for the failure but it still begs the question as to why the mki couldn't counter attack if it's such a good a2a platform.

They didn't get permission to shoot back even though they carry much longer ranged missiles than the PAF did.

The rules were changed the next day, and IAF currently enjoys total air superiority in Kashmir. We are even sending UAVs across the LoC now.

A mig 29 cannot replace the su 30 or rafale or the Mirage it's primarily being used for having enough numbers to replace the mig 21/27 and jaguars. It's to face the f 16 and j10 which it can handle. And that's what the mig 35 should be used for as cannon fodder..

We are not retarded enough to buy cannon fodder for our air force. We only buy advanced stuff and we aim to survive while accomplishing missions.

 

[randomradio]

Rafale numbers don’t add up

Clarity is required on the deal's India-specific technologies and their industrial viability plan

www.google.com

According to this article lack of two way data link means the rafale cannot exploit the full capabilities of the meteor missile .

The lock-on time is so short that any advantage from a two-way link is of no use. The main advantage of a two-way link is the missile informs the Rafale if it locked on to the target successfully. The Rafale's sensors are capable enough that the pilot can use his sensors to figure that out. But if the link is necessary, then we can get it ourselves, but the French decided they don't need it.

 

[jk007]

even though they carry much longer ranged missiles than the PAF did.

I think this is not correct. If I am not wrong, IAF chief (or ex-IAF chief) have said that IAF did not maintain tech superiority over PAF after Kargil.

 

[Hydra]

I think this is not correct. If I am not wrong, IAF chief (or ex-IAF chief) have said that IAF did not maintain tech superiority over PAF after Kargil.

If we didn't invest in f15, the gap will further grow. Imagine the scenario of PAF getting AIM120D, then MKI will be a siting duck. In worst scenario paf may get AIM260 too, then rafale advantage too will get diminish.

 

[Hydra]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1282484879741972481

 

[randomradio]

I think this is not correct. If I am not wrong, IAF chief (or ex-IAF chief) have said that IAF did not maintain tech superiority over PAF after Kargil.

While the radar seeker equipped missile superiority belonged to PAF during Balakot against the MKI, the R-27 outranges anything in PAF inventory when we are talking about max ranges. Within the tactical environment during the day, the MKIs simply couldn't make use of anything they had because the PAF backed out after their AMRAAMs missed.

2( That day, at that particular time we do have awacs coverage. Problems comes after our embarrassment on feb27, IAF failed to keep up 24/7 in maintaining awacs in air.

What on earth gives people such an idea? We have 5 AWACS, and it's enough to maintain 24/7 surveillance over 1 theatre at a time. So we can have 24/7 capability against PAF anytime with our existing assets. Getting 2 more Phalcons will give us 24/7 capability in both theatres.

 

[randomradio]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1282484879741972481

Treat this news as rumour. Only official news is relevant news.

 

[Ashwin]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1282883307454312448

Boeing is getting their PR investment returns.

 

[Hydra]

BREAKING: Boeing Lands F-15EX Mega Deal Worth Up to $23 Billion
7/13/2020
By Jon Harper

F-15EX concept art
Art: Boeing

The Air Force has awarded Boeing a nearly $1.2 billion contract for the first lot of F-15EX fighter jets, the service announced July 13. The new mega deal between the Pentagon and the aerospace giant includes an indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity contract that could be worth up to $23 billion, according to Boeing.

The first lot includes eight planes. The aircraft is already under construction at the company’s St. Louis production facility. Delivery of the first two is scheduled for the second quarter of fiscal year 2021. The remaining six are slated to be delivered in fiscal year 2023, according to the Air Force.

The service plans to purchase 76 F-15EXs over the future years defense program, and as many as 144 over the life of the program.

The new variant of the jet, which will replace aging F-15C/Ds, will provide enhanced capabilities over legacy systems, which have led some observers to call it a “4-5-gen” aircraft to indicate that it is more advanced than fourth-generation platforms currently in the fleet but not in the same class as stealth fighters such as the F-35 joint strike fighter or F-22 Raptor.

The Air Force touted the open mission systems architecture — which is supposed to enable the rapid insertion of new technologies to keep the aircraft viable for decades to come — as the most significant differentiator between the new version and legacy variants.

“The F-15EX’s digital backbone, open mission systems and generous payload capacity fit well with our vision for future net-enabled warfare,” Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics Will Roper said in a press release. “Continually upgrading systems, and how they share data across the Joint Force, is critical for defeating advanced threats. F-15EX is designed to evolve from day one.”

The program will serve as a pathfinder for the Pentagon’s DevSecOps initiative, which is aimed at developing more secure and agile software, according to Boeing.

“F-15EX brings together benefits of digital engineering, open mission systems and agile software development to keep it affordable and upgradable for decades to come,” Prat Kumar, Boeing vice president and F-15 program manager, said in a press release. “This means we can rapidly test and field new capabilities on F-15EX keeping our warfighters ahead of threats.”

Other features of the two-seater fighter include fly-by-wire flight controls, a new electronic warfare system and advanced cockpit systems.

Boeing touted its large weapons payload capacity, stating the jet will be able to launch hypersonic weapons up to 22 feet long and weighing up to 7,000 pounds. Hypersonics are a top research-and-development priority for the Pentagon. The weapons are expected to travel at speeds greater than Mach 5, be highly maneuverable and capable of overwhelming enemy air-and-missile defense systems.

However, some observers in the national security community have criticized the Air Force’s decision to buy the F-15EX, arguing that the service should instead purchase more Lockheed Martin-built F-35s that many believe would be more survivable against advanced adversaries such as China or Russia.

Air Force officials and Boeing executives have said the F-15EX should be viewed as a complement to — not a substitute for — the joint strike fighter. The service has defended the initiative as a cost-effective way to replace aging aircraft and bolster its inventory. While the per unit procurement cost of the F-35A has come down significantly in recent years making it more competitive with fourth-generation aircraft, defense officials are still concerned about the sustainment costs of the fifth-gen fighter.

The F-15EX will require minimal transitional training or infrastructure changes for units currently operating legacy F-15s, ensuring continuation of mission, according to the Air Force.

“The F-15EX is the most affordable and immediate way to refresh the capacity and update the capabilities provided by our aging F-15C/D fleets,” Gen. Mike Holmes, Air Combat Command commander, said in the release. “When delivered, we expect bases currently operating the F-15 to transition to the new EX platform in a matter of months versus years.”

BREAKING: Boeing Lands F15-EX Mega Deal Worth Up to $23 Billion

BREAKING: Boeing Lands F15-EX Mega Deal Worth Up to $23 Billion

www.nationaldefensemagazine.org