Broccoli
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Russian fighters are out of competition before it even starts. There is plenty of talk about stealth in the article and that thousands of F-35's are going to be manufactured giving it very large supporting base making upgrades cheaper, etc.
Summary is in English and perhaps whole report will be translated later on.
Summary is in English and perhaps whole report will be translated later on.
http://www.defmin.fi/files/3168/Esiselvitys_Hornet-kaluston_suorituskyvyn_korvaamisesta.pdfThe primary purpose of Finland’s defence capability is to establish deterrence against the use of military force as well as the threat thereof, and to repel attacks on Finland. Finland’s geopolitical standing and the changes in its operating environment emphasise the importance of maintaining and developing the defence capability. The goal is to maintain a defence capability that meets the requirements of the operating environment and the tasks of the Defence Forces. Defence cooperation is increasingly important in maintaining and developing the defence capability. A modern air power and air defence system is a key element in Finland’s defence capability.
The Hornet fleet’s capabilities are a major component of the air defence and of the Defence Forces’ capability in engaging land and sea-based targets. Furthermore, the Hornet fleet’s capabilities supplement the Defence Forces’ integrated intelligence, surveillance and command environment. Developments in the operating environment, the changing concepts of war and battle as well as the tasks of the Defence Forces, the Air Force and the air defence necessitate that the capabilities of the Hornet fighter fleet be replaced by the end of the next decade. The planned service life of the Hornet fleet will end by 2025– 2030. There are three major factors that limit the service life of the fleet: weakening comparative capabilities, structural fatigue and challenges in obtaining system support for the aircraft. Substantial additional costs would be incurred should the service life of the Hornet fleet be extended. Moreover, this would not provide additional options for replacing its capabilities. Extending the service life of the Hornet fleet is neither a cost-effective solution nor would it be sufficient in terms of Finland’s defence. It is impossible to substitute ground-based air defence systems or the current, or future, unmanned aerial vehicles for the Hornet fleet’s capabilities.
Both of the aforementioned systems encompass but a part of the Hornet fleet’s capabilities. In order to maintain defensive deterrence the Hornet fleet’s capabilities must be replaced with a system based on a multi-role fighter starting from 2025. The project for replacing the capabilities (HX project) must be launched in the autumn of 2015 at the very latest. Project-related decisions associated with Requests for Information and Requests for Quotation must be taken during the electoral term of 2015– 2019. The decision to procure new multi-role fighters must be taken in the early 2020s. It is not possible to replace the capabilities of the Hornet fleet within the framework of current defence budget levels. Rather, separate financing must be earmarked for the project. Replacing the capabilities of the Hornet fleet is a strategic project which is of crucial importance to Finland’s defence system. In order to properly guide the planning and implementation of the project an HX steering group, reporting to the Ministry of Defence as well as an HX programme coordination group which reports to the steering group and coordinates the planning and implementation of the project, must be set up. Other than this, the planning and implementation of the capability replacement project will be carried out in accordance with the Defence Forces’ standards. Replacing the capabilities of the Hornet fighter fleet significantly impacts Finland’s security and defence policy standing, and widely affects Finland’s bilateral relations.
On the basis of the preliminary assessment the working group proposes the following as regards the implementation of the project: 1. Adhere to the Hornet fleet’s original service life because, as per the preliminary assessment, there are no grounds for extending its service life. 2. Replace the Hornet’s capabilities with a solution based on a multi-role fighter. 3. Launch the HX programme no later than the autumn of 2015. 4. Set up an HX steering group, an HX programme coordination group and an HX programme secretariat, and establish their tasks, competence and composition. 5. Implement the acquisition process in a normal manner: promulgate the Request for Information in 2016, and the Request for Quotation in 2017–2018. 6. Make use of the derogation of the EU Directive on public contracts, permitted by Article 346 TFEU, because the procurement processes pursuant to the Directive on Defence and Security Procurement are not suitable for this acquisition. 7. Draw up a defence industrial strategy and establish the project-related requirements for an independent capacity and the security of supply. 8. Establish the need and possibilities for external auditing
