The Joint Strike Fighter -- a US$256 billion fighter program led by the US and co-financed by eight allied nations -- was supposed to be a model of international cooperation. But because of US reluctance to share critical technologies, some of the biggest partners are now threatening to withdraw.
This week, Britain, the principal foreign partner in the program to build the next-generation radar-evading supersonic jet, delivered an ultimatum at a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing. Lord Peter Drayson, Britain's top weapons buyer, said that the UK would withdraw from the program unless it gained better access to software technology and stealth technology needed to maintain and upgrade the planes it buys.
The British have invested US$2 billion so far and planned to spend another US$9 billion to purchase 150 aircraft.
In addition, Drayson objected to a recent Pentagon decision to drop a Rolls-Royce-General Electric engine from the program and pointedly told the committee that his country was not even consulted on the decision. The Pentagon wants to make Pratt & Whitney the sole engine supplier for the warplane, a move it says would save US$1.8 billion in near-term costs. The cut is in the Pentagon's budget proposal for next year.
"I am spelling this out because it is so important to make our intentions clear," Drayson said. "Without the technology transfer to give us the confidence to deliver an aircraft fit to fight on our terms, we will not be able to buy these aircraft."
To underscore its resolve, Britain's "shadow" defense secretary, Liam Fox, who represents the Conservative Party, attended the hearing to emphasize bipartisan support.
"The British public is getting the perception they are being asked to shoulder their share of responsibility, but not get their share of contracts," Fox said in a telephone interview.
"We are not being treated as a partner of the United States, but as a supplicant," he said.
Meanwhile, five other nations that are partners in the project -- Norway, Italy, Turkey, Denmark and the Netherlands -- met last Friday in the Netherlands to lay the groundwork for a united front to deal with the Pentagon.
Along with Canada and Australia, these foreign partners have contributed more than US$4 billion to the program's US$20 billion development costs.
Should any country withdraw, it would be a major embarrassment to the US-led effort, particularly since the Pentagon is trying to sign up partners to commit to the production phase and indicate the size of their orders.
A beauty queen who pulled out of the Miss South Africa competition when her nationality was questioned has said she wants to relocate to Nigeria, after coming second in the Miss Universe pageant while representing the West African country. Chidimma Adetshina, whose father is Nigerian, was crowned Miss Universe Africa and Oceania and was runner-up to Denmark’s Victoria Kjar Theilvig in Mexico on Saturday night. The 23-year-old law student withdrew from the Miss South Africa competition in August, saying that she needed to protect herself and her family after the government alleged that her mother had stolen the identity of a South
BELT-TIGHTENING: Chinese investments in Cambodia are projected to drop to US$35 million in 2026 from more than US$420 million in 2021 At a ceremony in August, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet knelt to receive blessings from saffron-robed monks as fireworks and balloons heralded the breaking of ground for a canal he hoped would transform his country’s economic fortunes. Addressing hundreds of people waving the Cambodian flag, Hun Manet said China would contribute 49 percent to the funding of the Funan Techo Canal that would link the Mekong River to the Gulf of Thailand and reduce Cambodia’s shipping reliance on Vietnam. Cambodia’s government estimates the strategic, if contentious, infrastructure project would cost US$1.7 billion, nearly 4 percent of the nation’s annual GDP. However, months later,
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un renewed his call for a “limitless” expansion of his military nuclear program to counter US-led threats in comments reported yesterday that were his first direct criticism toward Washington since US president-elect Donald Trump’s electoral victory on Oct. 6. At a conference with army officials on Friday, Kim condemned the US for updating its nuclear deterrence strategies with South Korea and solidifying three-way military cooperation involving Japan, which he portrayed as an “Asian NATO” that was escalating tensions and instability in the region. Kim also criticized the US over its support of Ukraine against a prolonged Russian invasion.
Texas’ education board on Friday voted to allow Bible-infused teachings in elementary schools, joining other Republican-led US states that pushed this year to give religion a larger presence in public classrooms. The curriculum adopted by the Texas State Board of Education, which is controlled by elected Republicans, is optional for schools to adopt, but they would receive additional funding if they do so. The materials could appear in classrooms as early as next school year. Republican Texas Governor Greg Abbott has voiced support for the lesson plans, which were provided by the state’s education agency that oversees the more than
RSS